Ayu Can Only Be Removed When PDP Constitution Is Amended – Atiku

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the several calls for the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu to resign.

Atiku Reveals Only Way Ayu Can Be Removed As PDP Chairman

Atiku, while meeting with the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and the party stakeholders in Ibadan, the state on Wednesday, said Ayu can only be removed when the party’s constitution is amended.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and PDP chieftain, Bode George have been calling for the national chairman of the party to step down on the grounds that the party’s presidential candidate and the national chairman can not come from the same zone.

Atiku hails from Adamawa (North-East) while Ayu comes from Benue (North-Central).

Governor Makinde also added his voice to the calls for Ayu to step aside, saying the chairmanship position of the party should go to the South, so as to give the people a sense of belonging in the party.

Atiku, in his response, said such a decision cannot be taken without considering the legal implications.

“The Peoples Democratic Party is the oldest political party in Nigeria since the return of democracy and even before then, it is a party that has laid-down rules and regulations,” he said.

“I have been a member of the party since when it was formed and I am still a member of the party up to the point of what it has grown to become.

“There is nothing any individual can do to change the outlook of the national working committee of the PDP.

“The PDP is a party where there are laid-down rules and regulations. What Governor Makinde is asking for is possible only when we have amended our party’s constitution.

“As things stand today, no single individual has the power to tamper with the NWC of the party. Doing so will be illegal and it will be against our rules in the party.

“Nigerians will not trust us to govern by the tenets of rule of law if we take such arbitrary action against our own party.”

Those on the entourage of the PDP presidential candidate include, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Sen. Dino Melaye; Alhaji Babangida Aliyu; former Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State; Governorship Candidate of Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, Ademola Adeleke, the governor-elect of Osun State, former minister of State, FCT, Mrs Jumoke Akinjide, Senator Abiodun Olujimi, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and a host of others.

Meanwhile, Kanyi Daily had reported that the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, Walid Jibrin stepped down from his position, making way for former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara to succeed him.

Also, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, passed a vote of confidence on the Ayu-led PDP despite calls for his resignation.