Makinde on Wednesday, during South-West PDP stakeholders’ meeting with Atiku, demanded the resignation of Ayu as PDP chairman
By Kehinde Okeowo
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in three of the six South-Western states have parted ways with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, after his call for the removal of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as the National Chairman of the party.
Makinde had on Wednesday called for Ayu’s resignation at the South-West PDP stakeholders’ meeting with the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
He said, “We must resolve the issue on the face of Nigerians, by asking the National Chairman to step down, so that the PDP in the Southern part of the party will feel included in the top hierarchy of the party,”
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Responding to the call, PDP chapters in Osun, Ondo, and Ogun states disagreed with the Oyo State governor, while some of them accused him of pursuing a narrow and personal agenda.
The Osun State Caretaker Chairman of the party, Dr Akindele Adekunle, via a statement made available to the press, asserted there was never a meeting held by the South-West PDP, where they agreed on the resignation of Ayu.
“The leadership of the PDP in Osun State wishes to affirm that we are not part of any revolt against the national leadership of the PDP,” Adekunle said.
Similarly, the Ondo State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kennedy Peretei, while responding to Makinde’s demand insisted the party must focus on winning the 2023 elections for now.
He said in a statement, “Against this background, Ondo State PDP aligns itself completely with the 97th National Executive Committee meeting resolutions which passed a vote of confidence on Senator Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman of our great party.
“We unconditionally support the presidential candidate of our party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who possesses the experience and capacity to lead Nigeria to the destination of our dreams.
Another statement by the Ogun State chapter of the party also countered the governor’s position at the South-West PDP meeting, describing his demand as “ill-timed and dangerous for the well-being of the party.”
The statement read in part, “Ogun PDP strongly insists that the sanctity of the party constitution cannot be slaughtered on the altar of narrow individual whims and caprice.
“The party, at this crucial stage and time of its democratic existence, requires full concentration to remain focused on its goal of rescuing and repositioning the country for prosperity and abundance.
“Therefore, all forms of distractions should be jettisoned for the common of all”