Iyorchia Ayu, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared that he will not accede to calls for him to step down from his position.
The party chairman emphasized that those making these demands are political novices who are unfamiliar with the fundamental beliefs of the PDP.
The former senator claims that Nigerians and members of the opposition party elected him to that post in accordance with the PDP’s core principles.
Arguing that he was duly elected as the party’s chairman, Ayu underlined in his response that he will not step down despite some people’s discomfort with his presence.
“I was voted as PDP national chairman to serve for four years, I am not even a year old on the position,” the former lawmaker said during an interview with BBC Hausa.
“Atiku’s victory at the national primaries has no nothing to do with the party’s leadership; I was the bonafide winner of the election. We acted within the dictates of the PDP constitution.
“I have not violated any rules; in fact, I am working to bring reforms to the party. I am truly not bothered by the unnecessary controversy being generated,” Ayu maintained.
Those advocating for Ayu’s removal believe that the party must respect the country’s ethnic diversity, just as it did when fielding presidential and vice presidential candidates in the upcoming presidential election.
They argue that Ayu, who is from the North, should step down following the emergence of Atiku, a northerner, as the party’s presidential candidate.
Others, however, have criticized the demand, claiming that it is a political ploy by Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, who finished second in the party’s presidential primary poll.
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