Makinde takes over Wike’s agitation, insists Ayu must resign for southern chairman

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State at the southwest zonal stakeholders’ meeting at the Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday reechoed the agitation of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, insisting that the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, must resign for a Southern national chairman.

Makinde expressing the resolution of the PDP South-West, noted that the PDP is talking about unifying the country, talking towards the government of national unity, saying that the party must practice what it preaches from the inside, begin the unification from within.

The Oyo governor, accordingly, declared: “Well, the issue is that we must practice what we preach. If we want to unify Nigeria, we must unify PDP first.

“If we want government of national unity, the faces in PDP must reflect national unity.

“If we want to restructure Nigeria, we must have the willingness to do what is right to bring inclusivity into PDP.

“The message from the South-West PDP is that the National Working Committee of the PDP should be restructured.

“We are asking the National Chairman to step down so that the South will be fully included. That is the message.”

Abubakar Atiku, the PDP 2023 Presidential candidate, who was part of the meeting explained that he was in Ibadan to interact with all the party stakeholders on the preparations for the 2023 general elections.

He appealed to the South-West PDP to remain focus and work toward the party’s victory in the 2023 elections.

Atiku acknowledging the controversy over the national chairmanship, said: “Overtime, PDP has developed its Constitution as regards party’s electoral processes, zoning of offices, power sharing, among others, which will bring about unity of the party and the country.

“Therefore, the request of Governor Makinde is achievable under our party’s Constitution, rules, regulations and procedures.

“So, the party’s Constitution must guide us on whatever changes we make.”

The PDP Vice Presidential candidate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, earlier appealed to the southwest party members to be more united and work toward the success of the party in the 2023 general elections.

Okowa emphasized that the PDP is well prepared to take over power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023.

The governor stated that the country is facing various challenges under the APC-led government. He emphasized that the PDP presidential candidate is “an experienced and quality leader who is capable of leading the country well”.

Okowa, enjoined the PDP members to go into the election with one love and determination to win the poll.

On the entourage of Atiku were former Governors Babangida Aliyu of Niger State; Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun; Dr Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, and Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State.