Atiku Group Disagrees With Makinde Over Call For Ayu’s Resignation

An Atiku Abubakar support group, Ekiti/Ondo Atiku Movement, has rejected the call by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for the resignation of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu.

Recall that Makinde during a South-West stakeholders’ meeting with the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in Ibadan had insisted on Ayu resigning from office.

Makinde stated that Ayu must tender his resignation for the party to move forward ahead of the 2023 general elections and that someone from the South West occupies the PDP chairmanship seat to prove their inclusion in the party’s processes.

In a statement released on Saturday by its Publicity Secretary, Ade Ajepe, the group said the South West PDP never agreed that Ayu should resign, stressing that Makinde only expressed his personal opinion.

The group maintained that the South-West PDP never took a decision to revolt against the National Executive Committee of the party which passed a vote of confidence in the party’s National Working Committee.

It said the governor’s position was not supported by fact or predicated on reason, adding that the party must follow the path of constitutionalism, rules and regulations.

The statement reads, “South-West is interested in the chairmanship of the party, but not through backstabbing or a dagger drawn or a back door as being championed by Governor Makinde and his co-travellers who are obviously mainly outside the South-West Zone.

“When the position of the chairman was zoned to the South-West, those masquerading as the defenders of the region now, for selfish reasons collaborated and colluded with a South-South governor to hijack the position to Rivers State.

“As a party, we must follow the path of constitutionalism, rules and regulations, party convention, practices and principles on all matters including this one.”

The group, however, urged Ayu to ignore the distractions and continue the good work as attested to by the party’s NEC. It also urged the party to reach out to all members across the country and unite all for the task ahead.

It also endorsed Atiku’s position on Ayu and commended him for his unalloyed support, loyalty and commitment to the party’s constitution.