PDP CRISIS: As the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to deepen rather than abet, the call for the resignation of the party National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu is getting louder by the day. This as some PDP chieftains consider supporting the candidate of the Labour Party candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

Basic Facts

• The resignation of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman of the PDP is a condition given by the Governor Nyesom Wike camp for the reconciliation of the rift with Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential flagbearer.
• Senator Iyorchia Ayu has however insisted that he has a four year term, which he intends to concluded, even though evidence has emerged that he pledged to resign if the PDP choses a Northern presidential candidate.
• A chieftain of the PDP who is not known to be part of the Nyesom Wike group has now added to this call for Ayu`s resignation, while sources confirm the consideration of Peter Obi by some PDP chieftains.

What We Know

The latest call for Senator Iyorchia Ayu`s resignation was made by a chieftain of the party, Dr Sam Ohuabunwa, who is a former aspirant for the PDP presidential ticket in the last convention of the party held in Abuja. Dr. Ohuabunwa is not known to belong to the group led by the Rivers State governor.

He made this call on Tuesday night while featuring in a live television program monitored by a Clariform reporter in the capital city of Abuja.

Dr Ohuabunwa advocated that Ayu`s resignation could be a way to placate the Governor Wike group and help salvage the party from a possible defeat in the 2023 presidential election.

While speaking on Politics Today, a life Channels TV political program on Tuesday, the PDP chieftain also made reference to the reported pledge by the PDP National Chairman to resign his position if a PDP presidential candidate emerges from the Northern political blog of the PDP.

Dr Ohuabunwa therefore argued that in line with this pledge voluntarily made by Senator Iyorchia Ayu, it is incumbent on him to toe the path of honour and resign his position.

He also went further to content that even without an earlier pledge to resign, it is still an honourable thing for Ayu to resign without been prompted to do so, as it is the most equitable thing to do in the circumstance.

According to Ohuabunwa, the inability of the PDP to settle their pending conflict shows that the party lacks a capacity for conflict resolution. He also suggested that it is an indication of failure on the part of PDP and Atiku who are seeking the mandate of the Nigerians to fix the country, but cannot fix a little problem in the party.

Notable Quote

“I see him as a man of honour,” Mr Ohuabunwa said on Tuesday evening, referring to Mr Ayu. “If that is what he said, then he should follow the path of honour.

“Even if he didn’t say it, if he is the leader of the party who has brought us to this point, he should make the sacrifice. Do what needs to be done and make sure Nigerians are happy with PDP, members of PDP are happy.

“If he needs to step down for that to happen, he should do so. We need to unify the party.”

“This party is bleeding right now,” Dr Ohuabunwa said.

Catch-up

Clariform reports that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is from the Northern political block of the party who has emerged as the presidential candidate of the PDP at the party’s Abuja convention, after beating other contenders.

This was following a rancorous clamour for the Peoples Democratic Party to feature a Southerner as their presidential flagbearer in line with the party`s agreed zooning formula.

Following the emergence of a Northerner, the call for the National Chairman who is also from the North to resign has become louder in the party, but this call is still been resisted by Senator Ayu.

Ayo`s resignation as Clariform have learnt is a condition precedent demanded by the group led by the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike for the resolution of their rift with Atiku Abubakar.

However, the party Chairman has indicated clearly that he has no plan to resign his position. This was made in a statement on Monday by Mr Simon Imobo-Tswana, Senator Ayo`s Special Adviser on Media and Communication.

“We restate, therefore, that the PDP National Chairman has not resigned and has no plan of resigning. For clarity and emphasis, he was elected for a tenure of four years.

“Sections 45 and 47 of the PDP Constitution are clear on the removal and/or resignation of the National Chairman.

“Those who don’t know this should get copies of the party’s Constitution for more information on the matter.

“PDP members and the general public are advised to ignore any story of such a phantom resignation,” he said.

Also, a reliable source familiar with the happenings within the PDP told Clariform reporter that the rift between Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, the PDP presidential candidate is fast tracking a decision by some displeased party big wigs to consider the option of supporting the candidacy of Peter Obi of the Labour Party

. The source said that “Obi is no doubt a winning formula.”

“He is the candidate to beat in this election, especially with additional support from some grassroot politicians. We have seen the handwriting on the wall and we are working on the best approach to herness his potentials. In fact it was a mistake not to have rallied round him to gun for the PDP ticket in the first place. Most of us are regretting things now”, he added.

Takeaway

Clariform investigations have revealed that the crisis in PDP has deepened greatly following the way and manner Atiku went about the choice of his running mate after his alliance with Governor Tambuwal led to the defeat of Governor Wike at the PDP primary.

Atiku went further to chose Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State over Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who was the popular choice of the PDP chieftains for the position of the PDP/Atiku`s running mate.

A reading of the political heartbeat of the country cannot discountenance the weight that Nyesom Wike carries in the scheme of things, both within and outside the PDP. Mr Wike is believed to be key for the success of PDP in the 2023 presidential poll.

In any case, there are some people who are happy with the events going on in the PDP, especially those who are set to benefit directly from it. The ruling APC for instance have been inching closer to Wike since the disagreements with the PDP flagbearer.

Recently, governor Wike has invited and hosted two prominent members of the APC for the commissioning of projects in Rivers State.

The current governor of Lagos state – Governor Sanwo Olu, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives who are both members of the APC have recently commissioned Governor Wike`s projects in Rivers State.

Also, the reigning popularity of Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate is another factor in the equation. This was subtly mentioned by Sam Ohuabunwa during the life interview, when he made reference to “the rising of the third force”, even without referring to Peter Obi by name.

Clariform has reported that the Labour Party presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi on Tuesday held an announced meeting at the home of Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt.

At the meeting were Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, who are known political allies of the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.

Also present at the meeting were former Governors Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Donald Duke of Cross Rivers State and Dakawanbo of Gombe state.

Two independent sources close to the River State governor have confirmed to a Clariform correspondent that some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are seriously considering the endorsement of Peter Obi for president in 2023.

The sources did not mention names, but both have indicated that those who are currently considering the endorsement Peter Obi goes beyond those present at the Port Harcourt meeting with Wike.

One of the sources said that rift between Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, the PDP presidential candidate is not exactly why the consideration of Obi is on the table, but that it is certainly fast tracking the decision. The source said that “Obi is no doubt a winning formula.”

“He is the candidate to beat in this election, especially with additional support from some grassroot politicians. We have seen the handwriting on the wall and we are working on the best approach to herness his potentials. In fact it was a mistake not to have rallied round him to gun for the PDP ticket in the first place. Most of us are regretting things now.”

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