In apparent reference to those calling for him to step ddownas National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since the party’s flagbearer in next year’s presidential election is from the northern region of the country like him, Iyorchia Ayu, has rebuffed the call.
In his words, in an interview with the BBC, Ayu said, “I was voted as PDP chairman for a four-year tenure and I am 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 the PDP journey, we did not see these children. They are children who do not know why we established this party.
“We will not allow one person to come and destroy our party.”
Ayu’s comments are believed to be targeted at Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, who is leading a block of some other governors and PDP supporters, to ask for Ayu to step down as a pre-condition for supporting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar presidential bid.
Wike lost out to Atiku at the primary of the PDP last May, and again lost out to Delta Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, as Atiku’s running mate.
Since then, he is alleged to be considering throwing his weight behind either Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), or Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While he continues to deny the allegations, Wike has not stopped throwing darts at other prominent members of the PDP at every public occasion in recent weeks.
Leave Wike alone and focus on delivering your state for @OfficialPDPNig pic.twitter.com/sMkyVVqRvt
— Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (@GovWike) August 31, 2022