Tobias Sylvester
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has insisted that Iyorchia Ayu must resign as the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite a vote of confidence passed on him by the national executive committee (NEC) of the party.
Wike Insists On Ayu’s Resignation As PDP Chairman
The PDP has been embroiled in crisis since the conclusion of its presidential primaries in May after Wike lost to the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and subsequent picking of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as running mate.
Wike’s camp has given Ayu’s resignation as one of the conditions that must be fulfilled to resolve the crisis rocking the major opposition party.
The ‘Ayu must go’ call championed by Wike is based on allegation of Northern dominance in top positions of the party with the presidential candidate, national chairman, chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum all coming from the North.
On Thursday, the PDP NEC passed a vote of confidence in Ayu and the national working committee (NWC), despite calls for the resignation of the party chairman.
Speaking on Saturday at a grand reception for defectors from different political parties into the PDP in Port Harcourt, Wike said those celebrating the vote of confidence seem to have forgotten history.
He said, “I was watching, listening. They say there is one man called Secondus. They say he was dancing, celebrating that NEC gave their person a vote of confidence. He forgets history,” Wike said.
“Ask him, the same NEC through Aliyu Babangida, who moved a motion for vote of confidence supported by the same person, Ndude Elumelu, they gave him a vote of confidence. What happened? He left the office.
“We don’t fight and go back. If you like, you can have as many as 20 votes of confidence, it is not my business. My business and my team is to make sure the right thing is done.
“And the right thing must be done, whether today or tomorrow. So let nobody worry him or herself. If you are dancing, come home and dance. Come and mobilise for the person you think will win the election.
“You people should go home and rest. We know we are already waiting for the day set by INEC for them to blow the whistle. When they blow the whistle, we will know those who are in charge of Rivers state and those who are mere visitors to the state.”
“Children Brought You From The Gutter And Made You PDP Chairman” – Wike Hits Back At Ayu
KanyiDaily recalls that Nyesom Wike had revealed that Atiku told him in person when he won the PDP ticket that Iyorchia Ayu must vacate his position as party chairman.
