National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Iyorchia Ayu has finally opened on the call for his resignation by Governor Nyesom Wike for him to support the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar.
Recall that Wike has demanded that the PDP national chairman should step down — as a precondition for resolving the rift with Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate.
However, reacting on Wednesday, Ayu described those calling for resignation as children.
Crisis broke out in the main opposition party after Abubakar picked Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta, as his running mate for the 2023 elections, overlooking Wike who was recommended by a panel comprising NWC members and governors.
Wike came second to Abubakar in the PDP presidential primary election in May after the last-minute withdrawal of Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto, who asked his supporters to back the former vice-president.
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A day after the primary election, Ayu openly celebrated Atiku’s victory, describing Tambuwal as “the hero of the convention”.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday, Ayu said he is not bothered by the calls for his resignation.
“I was voted as PDP chairman for a four-year tenure and I am yet to complete a year. Atiku’s victory doesn’t affect the chairman’s position. I won my election based on our party’s constitution,” he said.
“I didn’t commit any offence. I’m only reforming the party so I’m not bothered with all the noises. I know I’m doing my work and I didn’t steal any money so I see no reason for all these talks.
“When we started the PDP journey, we did not see these children. They are children who do not know why we established this party. We will not allow one person to come and destroy our party.”