…Says those calling for his resignation were kids when party was formed
OSAS EMMANUEL
National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has lambasted those demanding his resignation, vowing that he will not resign.
Ayu dismissed his coming from the northern part of the country, same region as the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as major excuse for demand of his ouster.
The chairman categorically stated that Atiku’s victory as the party’s candidate does not affect his position as party chairman.
Ayu, on Wednesday morning in an interview he granted the BBC Hausa Service, said the PDP Constitution is explicit enough to protect his position.
“I was voted as PDP Chairman for a four-year tenure and I’m yet to complete a year. Atiku’s victory doesn’t affect the Chairman’s position. I won my election based on our party’s constitution,” he said.
There have been repeated calls in recent times that the national chairman should resign from office on the ground that he cannot come from same region with the party’s presidential candidate.
Of particular influence to the call for his resignation was the demand by a camp loyal to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, as condition to pacify Wike and resolve the lingering crisis in the party.
Wike has been at logger- head with Atiku over perceived injustice done him by the selection of Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as vice presidential candidate of PDP ahead of him.
The choice of running mate by Atiku further aggravated the post-presidential primaries crisis rocking the opposition party.
Wike lost the primary to Atiku and felt slighted that he was defeated by norther conspiracy in connivance with the national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
The crisis has polarized the party with the call for Ayu’s resignation taking another dimension with the chairman being accused of financial impropriety.
The pro- Wike camp demanded an independent audit of PDP finances while alleging that Ayu mismanaged funds realized from sales of nomination forms prior to the recent primaries.
But Ayu absolved himself of any financial impropriety by saying “I didn’t commit any offense I’m only reforming the party so I’m not bothered with all the noises. I know I’m doing my work and I didn’t steal any money so I see no reason for all these talks.”
Ayu took a swipe on those agitating for his removal, calling them kid who knew nothing about the formation of the party.
Recall that Dr. Iyorchia Ayu was part of the group called G-13, that formed PDP.
Ayu said “when we started PDP, these children were not around. They are children who do not know why we formed the party. We will not allow any individual to destabilize our party.”
