Makinde says Ayu must resign

Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has insisted on the resignation of the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Iyiocha Ayu.

He maintained that the stand of Southwest PDP is for the National Chairman of the party to step down to give room for fairness and equity.

The Governor, while speaking in Ibadan during an interactive session of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar with stakeholders in Southwest, admitted that there are still some issues to resolve in the party before the elections.

He said: “If we want to unify Nigeria, we must unify PDP first. If we want a government of national unity, it must reflect in PDP, if we want to restructure in Nigeria, we must restructure PDP first.”

“Our presidential candidate is from Northeast, our National Chairman is from North Central, the Director General of Atiku campaign, Aminu Tambuwa is from the Northwest, so the PDP National Chairman should step down.”

Atiku noted that Ayu’s resignation must be done in accordance with the party constitution, rules, regulations and practice, adding that what Makinde was requesting is achievable if backed by the Constitution of the party.

“We cannot do anything outside our Constitution except it is amended. We cannot do anything unless the laws are amended, Ayu must go through our constitution, rules, regulations, and our practice, otherwise, we cannot give the kind of leadership Nigerians want.”

Atiku urged PDP not to allow the issue to derail them from winning the next elections, adding that “it is possible, it is achievable, we have done it before and we have started doing it.”

The PDP Deputy National Chairman (North), Umar Damagum, who spoke on Ayu’s behalf, urged members to commit themselves and work diligently for the PDP victory in 2023.

Dignitraries at the meeting include: Governors Makinde, Bala Mohammad (Bauchi); Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Osun Governor-elect, Sen Ademola Adeleke; PDP governorship candidates; ex Ondo Governor Olusegun Mimiko; Ex Osun Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; ex- Ekiti Governor, Ayo Fayose; Amb Taofek Arapaja, Sen Dino Melaye and Chief Raymond Dokpesi among others.