PDP Crisis: Makinde Backs Wike, Insist On Ayu’s Resignation

…Says There’re Issues To Address Within Party Ahead Of General Elections

…It Is Achievable Says Atiku

By Bode Akinbode, Ibadan

Ahead of the 2023 general elections , Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde on Wednesday called for the resignation of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Dr. Iyorcha Ayu

Governor Makinde who made the declaration at the Atiku South West Assembly in Ibadan on Wednesday said this becomes imperative in line with the party’s aim of forming an all inclusive government of national unity.

Recall that Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike and some governors within the PDP are bent on Ayu’s resignation since Alhaji Atiku Abubakar emerged the party’s presidential flag bearer and his choice of Delta State governor, Ifeayin Okowa as his running mate against the preferred choice of Governor Wike by the aggrieved governors

The governor who believes the party has the capacity to restore the hopes of Nigerians as against what he called the eight years rule of dishonour of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, said the country could only be unified if the party toes the path of honour.

He said: “The truth is that we do not have any issue either with our party or our candidate. If there are challenges they must be tabled.”

“We are supposed to give hope to our people, we want them to listen to us. Our party wants to rescue Nigeria and our candidate is a unifier; he wants to restructure Nigeria.”

“Eight years of the All Progressives Congress have left us sharply divided. The issue is we must practice what we preach. If we want to unify Nigeria, we must unify the PDP first.”

“If we want to restructure Nigeria, we must have the willingness to bring inclusiveness to the PDP. Do we have the capacity? The answer is resounding yes.”

“The message from the South-West PDP is the South-West is asking that the National Working Committee of the PDP should be restructured.”

“We are asking the National Chairman to step down so that the South will be fully included. That is the message.”

He, however, noted that for the opposition to regain power in Nigeria and restructure the country, it must first look within and restructure itself.

While speaking, PDP’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Abubakar said the call for Ayu’s resignation is achievable through the constitution guiding the party.

Abubakar noted that: “I have no problem about anywhere any party member comes from but it must be done in accordance to the party’s constitution or regulations and practices.

“What governor Seyi Makinde is calling for is achievable under the party’s Constitution under the party rules and regulations and procedures.

“This constitution must guide whatever changes we make, so that is why we cannot do anything outside that constitution unless it is amended.”

“We do not say people should not have different views but all views must go through the party’s constitution, rules regulations and our practices,” he highlighted.

While charging party faithful to go back to their various local governments and polling units and mobilise the people to vote the PDP, he urged that the issues should not be allowed to make the party to lose focus but rather be concerned on how the party will take over power in 2023.

Others who spoke at the event are
his running mate, governor Ifeayin Okowa of Delta state, representative of the party National chairman of the party Iliya Danagum, Chairman, PDP Governor’s Forum and sokoto state governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, governor -elect of Osun State Senator Ademola Adeleke, and Prince Olagundoye Oyinlola and Senator Dino Melaye

Former governors of Ekiti and Ondo states Ayo Fayose and Segun Mimiko as well as Niger and Rivers , Babangida Aliyu and Senator Liel Imoke were among dignitaries at the event.