The National Executive Council of the Peoples Democratic Party has passed a vote-of-confidence in Senator Iyorchia Ayu, suggesting that the party chairman will not be stepping down any time soon.
BASIC FACTS
- The PDP NEC Thursday passed a vote of confidence on troubled National Chairman.
- Governor Nyesom in reaction berated the action and rejected the vote of confidence on Ayu.
- The PDP crisis which has lingered now seems to be deepening from this development, as there appears no immediate resolution in site.
WHAT WE KNOW
The troubled National Chairman of the opposition PDP, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu got a lifeline on Thursday, as the NEC passed a vote of confidence in his leadership.
A motion for the vote of confidence in the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) was moved by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu at the BoT and NEC meeting which held in Abuja on Thursday.
The vote was supported by a NEC member from Kwara State and the meeting was presided over by the acting chairman of the PDP BoT, Adolphus Wabara.
There have been several calls by the southern caucus of the PDP for Ayu to step down for a southerner, however, with the vote of confidence, it is almost certain that Ayu will not be vacating the seat.
In reaction to the development, the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, said the party is determined to resolve its disagreements.
According to him, such disagreements as have rocked the party in recent times, are normal in a family.
The former vice president added that the PDP is the oldest party in Nigeria and has stood the test of time.
Furthermore, Atiku explained that the PDP has a constitution that guides the conduct of members and the party’s activities, adding that all disagreements must be resolved in tandem with the party’s rules and regulations.
However, Rivers State Governor who was not at the meeting and has been an arrowhead of the call for Ayu’s resignation rejected the move.
Speaking at Ahoada Rivers State, Wike said the resignation of the BOT Chairman was not enough as the position is mere advisory while the real decision making lies with the Chairman, hence the insistence that the Chairman should resign and not the BOT Chairman.
CATCH-UP
Recall that the BOT Chairman of the opposition PDP, Walid Jubril resigned yesterday to pave way for a Southern to succeed. Immediately Jubril resigned, Sen. Adolpus Wabara former Senate President replaced him.
The NEC meeting on Thursday was in continuation of the PDP search for peace. The same Thursday, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal resigned as the Chairman of the PDP Governors forum and was replaced by Oyo state Seyi Makinde.
It’s obvious the PDP crisis is not over. The party still have a “long walk to peace”. The major challenge for the PDP is the unwillingness of the main actors to come to a compromise.
