Politics

Atiku-Wike Rift: Why Ayu’s Removal May Create More Problems For PDP

Published

2 years ago

Nov 13, 2022.

Ayu’s Removal may create more problems for PDP according to reports.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the camp of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State have expressed willingness to seal a peace deal but the removal of the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, may create more problem instead of a solution for the main opposition party.

This online media platform recalls that the Wike’s camp comprising of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu have sent out signals of their readiness to give peace a chance and resolve issues with Atiku.

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Speaking to journalists during a visit to Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Wike had said: “I have said several times that we are ready for reconciliation; we have never closed the door for reconciliation. All we are asking for is equity, fairness, and justice, and that is the hallmark PDP stands for.

“All we are saying, let the right things be done. When the right thing is done, the country would see that the crisis in the party is over.

“These G5 Governors, we are saying, are the bedrock of the party, so we would not close the doors for reconciliation. We are for reconciliation any day, anytime.”

In the same vein, Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe quoted the PDP presidential candidate as welcoming moves to resolve all outstanding issues.

Ibe said: “Atiku Abubakar also expresses his commitment to a negotiation that will resolve the crisis of confidence and pave the way for a much stronger and united PDP.

“The former Vice President of Nigeria notes that never at any time of the differences that have ensured have the doors been shut to Governor Wike and his group. He enjoins every leader of the party and their supporters irrespective of their learning to be open-minded and support the process of resolution of the extant issues.”

But a member of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) said the insistence on Ayu’s removal by Wike’s camp could create a bigger problem than it would solve.

The source told Vanguard that, “Provisions of Chapter 6 of our Constitution which deals with the issue of resignation or removal of national officers state in Section 45 (2), ‘In the case of the National Chairman, he shall hand over to the Deputy National Chairman from his own region/part of the country who shall, without prejudice to Section 47 (6) of this Constitution, act as the National Chairman pending the election of a replacement.’

“Now, Ayu is from the North-Central while our candidate is from the North-East. If Ayu resigns, Umar Damagun, the Deputy National Chairman, who hails from the same North-East like Atiku, takes over. Is this not greater injustice?