Ayu must resign as PDP's Chairman before campaign begins - Bode George

By Ofiebor Okafor

Former South-West Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Chief Olabode George, on Thursday said the party’s chairman, Iyorchia Ayu must resign before campaign for 2023 presidency begins.

George, who was in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to inaugurate Omerelu internal roads in Ikwerre Local Government Area, at the instant of Governor Nyesom Wike.

He said it was an antithesis and against the norm and culture of PDP for the positions of the Presidential candidate, National Chairman and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees to be occupied by persons from one section of the country.

“Party members from the south are already feeling alienated. PDP is not a private company. So, before we start the presidential campaign at the end of this month, the National Chairman must go to the south. That is what Governor Wike is saying and as a life member of the Board of Trustees of our party, I support this position 100 percent.

“Statutorily, it is the National Chairman who hands over the party’s flag to our presidential candidate. How will party members from the South feel when they see that at all political rallies Southerners have no public political representation,” he said.

George maintained that this constituted a fundamental flaw and lack of inclusiveness which would be diametrically opposed to the original thinking of the founding fathers of the PDP.

He urged party members to be united in their determination to ensure that the PDP returns to the Presidential villa in Abuja by May 29, 2023.

“But we can only go back to Aso Rock if we are united and not divided. Some people are abusing Governor Wike, he is a trouble shooter. Those abusing him, as an elder and as a father in this party, I am directing them, they must stop immediately.

“Because Governor Wike is only fighting for justice, for equity, for fairness in our party. He is not only a strong pillar in this party, but a mobiliser, a financier and an actualizer.

“Since he joined the PDP, he has not left this party. Am also in a founding father of the party and since 1998 I have not left this party.”

Earlier, Wike had blasted Ayu, saying his recent show of arrogance, insincerity, lack of integrity and dishonesty could jeopardise the electoral fortunes of the party in the 2023 general elections.