PDP BoT Chair agrees with critics on party’s unfair leadership slots
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Walid Jibrin, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, has reiterated his stand that the party leadership sidelines the South and is too pro-North, agreeing with critics of its Northernisation.
Jibril insisted on Channels Television that it is unfair for PDP presidential candidate of Atiku Abubakar; National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu; and himself to come from the North.
He issued a statement on Tuesday saying he stands by his earlier position.
“Based on my earlier statement that the PDP cannot produce a Northern President, National Chairman, BoT Chairman all from the North for the 2023 presidential elections, I still maintain my stand on that statement,” Jibril said, per The PUNCH.
“The PDP is a party that caters for all Nigerians; it is not sectional but loved by all Nigerians.
“As a PDP BoT Chairman, I must say the truth and nothing but the truth no matter anyone’s criticism. I do not fear anyone but God and the true agenda of our party.
“I will add that I stand strongly on my toes; I have been a true member of PDP since its inception in 1998.
“Today, I am one of the trustees’ members of the party who [has] remained in the party since 1998 that never changed to any party passing all positions in the PDP.”
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Ayu reneges on pledge to resign
Ayu had pledged before the PDP presidential primary in May that he would resign and give way for a Southerner to become the party’s National Chairman if a Northern emerged as its presidential candidate.
Many critics have asked him to do just that since Atiku clinched the ticket. One of the most vociferous against the Northernisation of the PDP is Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, who came second in the primary.
However, Ayu has both denied reports of his resignation and stood his ground not to quit before his tenure expires.
He fired off the riposte on 16 August in a statement he issued through his Media Aide Simon Imobo-Tswana.
“The attention of the PDP National Chairman has been drawn to sponsored stories in the news media today,” the statement said.
“The stories purport that the PDP National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, has resigned. They further add that his purported resignation letter is with ex-Senate President David Mark.
“Our reaction: We state, with all emphasis, that this story is, in its entirety, false, baseless, reckless, inaccurate, and a complete work of fiction.
“If there is such a resignation, it exists only in the imagination of those who have made themselves available for hatchet jobs.”