In apparent reference to those calling for him to step ddownas National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since the party’s flagbearer in next year’s presidential election is from the northern region of the country like him, Iyorchia Ayu, has rebuffed the call.<\/p>\n
In his words, in an interview with the BBC, Ayu said, “I was voted as PDP chairman for a four-year tenure and I am yet to complete a year. Atiku\u2019s victory doesn\u2019t affect the chairman\u2019s position. I won my election based on our party\u2019s constitution.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t commit any offence. I\u2019m only reforming the party so I\u2019m not bothered with all the noises. I know I\u2019m doing my work and I didn\u2019t steal any money so I see no reason for all these talks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we started the PDP journey, we did not see these children. They are children who do not know why we established this party.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will not allow one person to come and destroy our party.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ayu’s comments are believed to be targeted at Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, who is leading a block of some other governors and PDP supporters, to ask for Ayu to step down as a pre-condition for supporting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar presidential bid.<\/p>\n
Wike lost out to Atiku at the primary of the PDP last May, and again lost out to Delta Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, as Atiku’s running mate.<\/p>\n
Since then, he is alleged to be considering throwing his weight behind either Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), or Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).<\/p>\n
While he continues to deny the allegations, Wike has not stopped throwing darts at other prominent members of the PDP at every public occasion in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
\nLeave Wike alone and focus on delivering your state for @OfficialPDPNig<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/sMkyVVqRvt<\/a><\/p>\n
— Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (@GovWike) August 31, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n