Bode George, a senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s answer to calls for the ouster of Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the party’s National Chairman, is depressing.
This claim was made by the former deputy national chairman of the party during an interview on Thursday on Arise Television.
“Let’s do what is right, let’s do what is just. All of us can not sleep and face the same direction. I am talking because we are deviating from the norm and the cause of our founding fathers,” George said.
“It is not a personal thing for me and it will never be. This is not a personal emotional issue. This is about doing things right. Let’s follow the culture and the norms of our founding fathers so that we can convince the people that we can build the country,” he added.
As you may recall, Atiku, on Wednesday reiterated his stance that he could not compel Ayu to step down as the party’s national chairman.
This came about after Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his PDP team withdrew from Atiku’s campaign following the Ayu-must-go movement.
Party veterans who support Wike’s vision insisted that Atiku wouldn’t receive any support until Ayu gave up the party’s top position to make room for an acting chairman from the South of the nation.
The resolution by the group was delivered by George, on behalf of the party’s disgruntled veterans, who include the party’s founding members, current governors, former ministers, and other leaders.
Reading out the group’s resolution, George said, “We resolve that we are deeply concerned by the division in our party. We are aware that over the years our party has developed conflict resolution mechanisms that guarantee inclusiveness. The published presidential campaign council list translates to putting the cat before the horse.
“The pertinent issue remains the resolution of the leadership which is a departure of ‘Senator Iyorchia Ayu must resign as the National Chairman of the party for an acting Chairman of the Southern Nigerian extraction to emerge and lead the party on the national campaign.
“Consequently, we resolve not to participate in the campaign council in whatever capacity until the resignation of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.”