By our reporter| The national chairman of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu has ruled out resigning and has described those calling for his ouster as “children” who were not there when the party was formed.
Ayu has been under pressure to resign from allies of Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, as a precondition for resolving the rift with Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate.
But 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.”
The main opposition party has been engulfed in crisis after Atiku Abubakar picked Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta, as his running mate for the 2023 elections, ahead of Wike who was recommended by a panel comprising NWC members and governors.
A day after the primary election, Ayu openly celebrated Atiku’s victory, describing Tambuwal who stepped down for Atiku as “the hero of the convention”.
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