South West PDP Disown Makinde's Claim, On Ayu's Removal

 

Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Ondo PDP Disown Makinde's Claim On Removal Of National Chairman Ayu.

— We Disagree With Gov. Makinde On Calls For Ayu's Removal — Osun PDP 

— Ogun State PDP Refutes Claim Of Gov. Makinde On Ayu's Removal. 

...... Passes Vote Of Confidence On Ayu.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West has disowned claims by Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on the removal of the party's National Chairman Sen. Dr Iyorchia Ayu. 

Recall that Gov. Makinde while speaking at the recently held Consultative Meeting between South-West stakeholders and the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Vice-presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa in Ibadan the Oyo State Capital, asserted that the Sen. Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, steps down his position as the National Chairman. Contrary to Makinde's utterances, the PDP in the South-West has stated it's position. 

The PDP in Ekiti State on Thursday September 16 2022, in a statement pledged unconditional support for the aspiration of Atiku/Okowa and also passed a vote of confidence on the National Chairman for 'providing credible leadership and direction for the party.'

In a statement made available to Journalists in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, the Ekiti State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Raphael Adeyanju said : 

" The  Ekiti state chapter of the PDP, after a critical review of the interactive session of our Presidential Candidate,  His Excellency Abubakar Atiku with the party leaders and stakeholders of the party in the Southwest , in Ibadan on Tuesday,  is convinced that the   agitation for the resignation of the party’s National Chairman , Senator Iyorchia Ayu should be suspended in the best interest of the party."

During the stakeholders' meeting,  the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde ,  who was the chief host had insisted that Ayu must step down for a Southerner to emerge as National Chairman , since Atiku, a Northerner is the party’s presidential flag bearer.

 The  Ekiti State chapter of the opposition party maintained that there is a great wisdom in  the former Vice President's  response  that Ayu’s resignation must be done in accordance with the party’s constitution, rules, regulations and practice.

Adeyanju stated that:  " Our party believes in the sanctity of our constitution, we must therefore do everything to maintain this sanctity. Any action that undermines the spirit of the party's constitution at this crucial stage can only be considered as a deliberate attempt to sabotage the next presidential election

" If  we cannot respect our own rules, guidelines and constitution as a party how will Nigerians trust us to respect the constitution of the Federal Republic , if voted into the office? 

"We appreciate the real concern of our zonal leaders and their determination to protect the interest of members  against any form of marginalization, but we must also consider the fact that we also have very few months to go into the election, with a ruling party as  our main opponent. 

  " Any hardliner stance at this crucial stance can only lead to  a constitutional crisis and unnecessary litigation . These are avoidable distraction that must not be encouraged.  We are aware that the next party official that has the constitutional right to succeed Ayu will also come from the Northern section of the country,while major positions will have to be swapped between the Northern and Southern zones of the country. " 

The PDP spokesperson explained that major changes can not be affected within the party structure without another national convention that will involve a lot of planning and money. 

He said, "  Do we have the time and the resources to go into another National Convention now?  How many party members currently holding executive positions will be ready to sacrifice their positions at this crucial period? Can you trust party members not to go into litigation over issues like these? 

That is why  we wish to appel to all stakeholders to suspend all agitations till after the election. 

"We are ready to kickstart Atiku's campaign in Ekiti as soon as possible and we enjoin all our leaders to participate actively as it is obvious that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is the only candidate that unites our nation as this critical moment."

In the same vein, the PDP in Osun state, on Wednesday also issued a statement disagreeing with Governor Makinde on Calls for Ayu's Removal 

" The leadership of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun state has dissociated itself from calls by Governor Seyi Makinde that Dr Iyorchia Ayu should resign as PDP National Chairman, saying we disagree with the Governor's statement." 

The statement issued in Osogbo and signed by the State Caretaker Chairman of the party, Dr Akindele Adekunle, stipulated that the party observed that there was no meeting where the South West agreed to call for the removal of the national Chairman, noting that "the call is not a mainstream position of the party in the region.

" The leadership of the PDP in Osun state wishes to affirm that we are not part of any revolt against the national leadership of the PDP. We remain guided and loyal to the PDP constitution which stipulates processes for leadership election and removal. As a party with democratic tradition, we see no justification for any anti-democratic agitation to torpedo the ship of the party at this very critical stage of national campaigns and pre-election preparation.

" Dr Ayu who was duly elected at a properly constituted National Convention with a four year mandate also has the vote of confidence of the party's National Executive Committee, the party's highest decision making organ. Our party Chairman is a principled leader whose integrity is second to none. We consequently disgree with any move to undermine the office of the national Chairman.

" Furthermore, we commend the Presidential candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for his steadfastness and committment to uphold the party constitution. His response in support of the party constitution re-assured all that PDP is a party of law and due process. 

"We also use this medium to, on behalf of our teeming members, apologise to members of the PDP National Working Committee and other leaders over the embarrassment the resignation call may have cause them. The occassion was a solemn one where party loyalists gathered to host our national leaders and demonstrate our preparedness for the task ahead. It was not an avenue for factional rhetoric.

"While reaffirming our passion to mobilise for PDP's victory in the forthcoming General Elections, we restate our resolve to embrace all that is constitutional, unifying and contributory to the success of the party and its leadership. We stand to be counted all the time as agents of electoral success without tolerance for enstranging antics", the statement concluded.

On Thursday in a statement obtained by MEDIAORCHID, the entire leadership of Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, ( PDP) refuted the claim by Governor Seyi Makinde that Southwest Stakeholders called for the resignation of the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu while speaking at the Southwest Stakeholders interactive Session with the party’s Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in Ibadan on Wednesday, 14th September, 2022.

According to the statement unequivocally signed by the entire leaders of the party in Ogun state on Thursday, 15th September, 2022, the leaders disassociate Ogun State chapter of the party from the pronouncement of Governor Seyi Makinde and affirmed that there was no prior meeting nor agreement relating to such pronouncement.

The leaders stated that Ogun state chapter of the Party is convinced that the current demand for the resignation of the party’s National Chairman  is ill- timed and dangerous for the wellbeing of the party especially as the political mobilization and campaigns for 2023 general elections builds up across the nation.

“Ogun PDP strongly insist that the sanctity of the party constitution can not be slaughtered on the alter of narrow individual whims and caprice. The party, at this crucial stage and time of its democratic existence requires full concentration to remain focused on its goal of rescuing and repositioning the country for prosperity and abundance. Therefore, all forms of distractions should be jettisoned for the common of all” the statement said.

The leadership of the party in Ogun State further reiterated their unwavering support and unalloyed commitment to the presidential aspiration of the former Vice  President of Nigeria and the PDP  presidential candidate, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, His Excellency, Sen. Ifanyi Okowa.

The party also in one accord, passed a vote of confidence on the PDP National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu and the entire members the National Working Committee, NWC for providing purposeful leadership guidance in the party's bid to wrestle power from the shackles of the ruling APC both at the national level and indeed, across the nation come 2023.

Our Priority Is Victory In All Elections Come 2023 —Ondo PDP

The PDP in Ondo State in a statement issued today Friday September 16 2022 aligned with resolution of the 97th National Executive Committee (NEC) which passed a vote of confidence on Sen. Dr Iyorchia Ayu, the National Chairman of the party. 

Read Statement In Full : 

The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Ondo State Chapter is committed to victory at the general elections in 2023. 

Since the coming of the All Progressives Congress (APC) entered the saddle in 2015, Nigeria has been on a free fall. We moved from the biggest economy in Africa to World capital of poverty. As a nation, we are struggling for space for a ranking in failed states with Afghanistan and Syria under President Muhammad Buhari.

Our party is determined to end the misrule of APC, rescue and redirect our country on the path of recovery and prosperity.

Against this background, Ondo State PDP aligns itself completely with the 97th National Executive Committee (NEC)  meeting Resolutions which passed a vote of confidence on  Senator Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party. 

We unconditionally support the presidential candidate of our party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who possesses the experience and capacity to lead Nigeria to the destination of our dreams.

Our focus and priority at this critical time is victory at the polls. And we shall commit all our energies to ensuring victory.

Kennedy Ikantu Peretei.

State Publicity Secretary, PDP Ondo State.