Ayu: Atiku succeeds in isolating Makinde in southwest; PDP, Gov-elect Adeleke disagree with Oyo gov

The story has changed a day after Oyo Gov. Seyi Makinde toed the path of his master and Rivers Gov. Nyesom Wike in calling for party chairman removal when PDP’spresidential candidate Atiku Abbakara and his camp visited Oyo.

The state governor who is the region party leader is now on his own. At least Osu chapter of the party, and its leadership, including Gov-elect Ademola Adeleke disagreed with Makinde’s call for Iyorchia Ayu resignation.

In a statement issued in Osogbo, late Thursday, and signed by the State Caretaker Chairman of the party, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, the party said there was no meeting where they agreed to take Makinde’s position—the position of Wike since he lost his presidential ambition to Atiku.

The Natioal Daily reported how the embattled presidenrtial candidate and his men, including governors from the orth, and former party leaders met with Makinde in Ibadan on Wednesday.

Atiku told the governor demanding Ayu resignation that it’s possible—if the party rule book is rewritten.

The Osun chapter now insists it remains loyal to the PDP constitution. which spells out how leaders come into or office or leave.

“As a party with a democratic tradition, we see no justification for any anti-democratic agitation to torpedo the ship of the party at this very critical stage of national campaigns and pre-election preparation,” the statement read.

“Dr. Ayu, who was duly elected at a properly constituted National Convention with a four-year mandate also has the vote of confidence of the party’s National Executive Committee, the party’s highest decision-making organ.

“Our party Chairman is a principled leader whose integrity is second to none. We consequently disagree with any move to undermine the office of the National Chairman.”

The chapter, considering Makinde solo call as embarrassing, apologized to  members of the PDP National Working Committee and other leaders, slghting Makinde who took advantage of the meeting to push Wike’s agenda.

The occasion was a solemn one where party loyalists gathered to host our national leaders and demonstrate our preparedness for the task ahead. It was not an avenue for factional rhetoric,’ the statement read.