Iyorchia Ayu, a former Senate President and the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, has lashed out at the Nyesom Wike’s group within the party calling for his resignation, describing them as children who do not know why we formed the party.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, the national chairman pointed out that even if there would be another election, those calling for his resignation would not be replacing him saying PDP members and stakeholders elected him based on the laid down rules of the party.
A group within the party, loyal to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has in recent times, been calling for the resignation of Ayu as a condition to mend the fractured relationship between the governor and the party’s presidential flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar.
The relationship between Atiku and Wike worsened a few months ago after the PDP presidential primary, which was won by the former Vice-President.
Wike became resentful after Atiku chose the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate. Although the PDP set up a panel to reconcile the two men, Wike insisted on the removal of the party’s chairman.
Atiku had last week met with the governor in the United Kingdom as part of the reconciliation process.
But reacting during an interview with BBC Hausa, the national Chairman stated “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.
“I didn’t commit any offence; 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. 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,” he said.
