Ayu Vs Saraki: They Can’t Bury A Man Who Isn’t Dead – PDP Youth Leader 

A member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Timothy Osadolor, has said the suspended National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu can’t be replaced just yet with the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

Naija News understands that the majority of the leaders of the PDP, including the party’s flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar, and the leader of the G5, Nyesom Wike, have allegedly thrown support for Saraki to replace Ayu.

Recall that Ayu was suspended from the party by a Benue High Court following allegations by his Igyorov Ward Executive Committee for anti-party activities and refusing to pay dues, among others.

Ayu subsequently obeyed the court’s judgement and stepped down as the national chairman, however, the verdict is being challenged by Ayu at the appeal court.

But in the midst of Ayu’s appeal, party leaders seemed to have sidelined him for Saraki to become the next chairman after the verdict of the party’s appeal of the presidential elections at the Supreme Court.

A top party source disclosed to Daily Trust that “The Atiku group is comfortable with Saraki because they know it will be difficult to put their own person as chairman now because of the Wike influence. The visit is all about Saraki now trying to get a foothold across the party before the real hostilities start. You cannot say Saraki is an Atiku man or a Wike man, so both sides of the divide seem to be comfortable with his personality.

“Even though Ayu is in court, I believe when the time comes, he will be told to withdraw the case, so that the party can move forward.”

However, Osadolor, who is also the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, has said they can not bury a man who is not dead yet, noting that Saraki can only succeed if Ayu agrees to step down his appeal.

The PDP youth leader said Ayu is in court to contest his suspension, “So, those thinking of burying a man who is not yet dead are out of the question.”

“Except, if the man decides to withdraw the case himself, or he says he is no longer interested and the position becomes vacant. Also, the acting chairman is doing a good job at the moment holding a brief for the chairman.

“So, for those that want to contest for the national chairman of the party, I believe soon, we will have our midterm convention, or when the position becomes vacant, they can aspire. But for now, the office of the chairman is not vacant. Ayu is in court, and for now, he is suspended, and nobody has said he should go home.

 “I would not want us to read too much into the visit of Saraki to Wike and Wike to Saraki, because I believe this is a visit among friends irrespective of what happens during the PDP presidential primaries and the campaign. These are friends that met in their private residence, and it does not indicate that there is pressure on the leadership of the party. That is not true,” Osadolor submitted.