In a build-up to the 2023 general election, the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has continued unabated, as the National party chairman of PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, has chided Governor Nyesom Wike over his demand for his resignation as the party leader, saying where Wike was when they formed the political party from the onset. Governor Nyesom Wike and the PDP Presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar have been at a loggerhead following the outcome of the PDP presidential primaries that saw the victory of Atiku Abubakar.
Wike bitterer by the outcome of the primaries has led him to pitch against the PDP and Atiku Abubakar which has made him mobilize some southern PDP bigwigs into his fold and has since been giving the party a sleepless night.
Although a reconciliation committee was set up to ensure that Wike sheath his sword, but seems all effort has been futile as he insist the PDP national party chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, must resign as part of his condition to support the party ahead of the 2023 general election.
In recent weeks, Wike has been having meetings with members of the opposition party both within and outside the country which has made the PDP stakeholders uncomfortable as one of the party leaders said the attack on both Atiku and the party is a deliberate attempt by the Rivers state Governor.
This came on the heal when a PDP member boosted that the mass exodus that has hit the All Progressive Congress, APC was evidence of imminent doom for the ruling party.
Meanwhile, former president Jonathan aid, Doyin Okupe has dismissed the insinuation that the presidential candidate of the labor Party, peter Obi was considering an alliance with Atiku Abubakar.
Responding to an interview by Ayu yesterday to a BBC Hausa service, the party chairman responded to Wike’s attitude towards the party saying, the leaders of the PDP have worked so hard to an extent that they will not allow the interest of one person to destroy the party.
In his statement, “I was elected to lead the PDP for a four-year term, I have not even spent one year. The election of Atiku as a presidential candidate has nothing to do with the position of national chairman. I won an election as prescribed by our party’s constitution.
“I did not commit any crime, I’m only bringing in positive reforms to the party, and honestly I’m not bothered by the noise.
He reiterated, “I know I’m working, I have not stolen any money, I have not committed any offense because of this. I don’t know what all that talk is about.”
When asked whether the Rivers state Governor's disposition is not a threat to the party’s victory ahead of the 2023 general election, Ayu said, “We founded the PDP in Nigeria. So, some children/kids, who have no inkling about the struggle, cannot become a problem.
He explained that “When we started the PDP, we did not see these children/kids, they didn’t know why we founded this party. We will not allow an individual to come and destroy our party.”
