The supporters of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, have again demanded the immediate resignation of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, as a condition to end the crisis rocking the party.
Governor Wike’s loyalists insisted that Ayu must resign his position, adding that they should be allowed to choose his successor.
The supporters of the governor further called on former Senate President, David Mark, to speak up on the party’s post-presidential primary election crisis, alleging that Mark was with Ayu’s resignation letter.
The development is however coming ahead of today’s meeting of a six-man committee comprising representatives from the camps of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Wike, for reconciliation talks.
It was gathered that the meeting has been scheduled to hold in Abuja.
Earlier, Wike and his associates had reportedly demanded the resignation of the PDP National Chairman as a condition for them to campaign for Atiku.
They argued that all the top positions in the party are being occupied by northerners and Ayu, who is from the North-Central, must resign as a concession to the South.
The supporters of the governor stressed that Atiku must honour his promise that once the party’s presidential standard-bearer emerges from the North, a southerner will be the national chairman.
It was gathered that Atiku insisted that Ayu should remain in office to lead his campaign for the 2023 presidential election after which he will quit.
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To resolve the crisis, party bigwigs have since been lobbying Wike to embrace reconciliation and support Atiku.
However, a credible source, who spoke on the latest demands of the aggrieved members of the PDP, said by ensuring the removal of Ayu, the party’s presidential candidate “can be said to have shown that he has the capacity to keep to the agreement of inclusiveness, trust, and avoid any victimisation of the supporters of the Rivers State Governor.”
The source added: “Dr. Iyorchia Ayu has betrayed the confidence of Governor Wike. Nigerians know that Wike would have won the ticket, but for treachery. He lost the presidential ticket and the chances of becoming the running mate to the presidential candidate due to treachery.
“Wike has lost twice. He wants to be a stakeholder in the presidential campaign. So, we want the office of the national chairman, because of what we will be bringing on board. Wike has a lot to bring on board. He has capacity,” THISDAY quoted the source as saying.
The source also alleged Ayu had already signed a resignation letter, saying: “What is Ayu bringing to help Atiku? He should resign if he has honour.
“After all, he signed the resignation letter that he will resign if the presidential candidate comes from the north. The letter is with David Mark. David Mark should speak out.”
The source added that the purpose Wike was inviting APC chieftains to inaugurate some of the projects he executed was to show the world that he has capacity and a lot to contribute to the party.
He, however, said the governor would not dump the PDP ahead of the 2023 general election.
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