Why I won’t resign as National Chairman of PDP – Ayu

National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, has dismissed calls for his removal, describing such call as emanating from children who did not know when the party was formed.

Ayu said he would resist plans to destabilise the party, noting that PDP members and stakeholders elected him based on the laid down rules of the main opposition party.

The national chairman who was speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, posited that even if there would be another election, those calling for his resignation would not be replacing him.

He said; “I was voted as PDP Chairman for four-year tenure and I’m yet to complete a year. Atiku’s victory doesn’t affect the chairman’s position. I won my election based on our party’s constitution.

“I didn’t commit any offence; I’m only reforming the party so I’m not bothered with all the noises. I know I’m doing my work and I didn’t steal any money so I see no reason for all these talks.

“When we started PDP, these children were not around. They are children who do not know why we formed the party. We will not allow any individual to destabilise our party.”

There had been reports of rifts within the PDP following calls by the camp of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for the resignation of Ayu as a condition to repair the frosty relationship between the governor and the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The worsening relationship between Atiku and Wike came to a head after the PDP presidential primary, which was won by the former Vice-President a few months ago.

A reconciliation committee set up by the two leaders is yet to reach a consensus on the way out of the feud.