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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Opposition to Dr. Iyorchia Ayu’s continued stay as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is far from over.
Top officials of the party in Edo State have expressed concerns that his insistence to remain as chairman could cost the party victory in 2023 Presidential election.
The state Vice Chairman of the party, Harrison Omagbon, who spoke to Saturday Sun in Benin, said: “Our position is that equity is fairness. In fairness, there must be distribution of positions.”
He said in 2015 the party’s current Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, while defecting from the PDP to the APC, said the PDP has ceased to be a national party, alleging that it has been dominated by Southerners.
He pointed out that the PDP now has its Presidential candidate, Chairman from the North and Atiku has again picked the Director-General of his campaign from the North-West.
“For the PDP to be seen as national party, the chairman should come to the South. Atiku said he is a unifier; he should start by unifying the party. The country is presently divided along ethnic and political lines, so his programme should address that. He is taking the South for a ride and cannot be trusted.”
In his comment, the State Secretary of the PDP, Hillary Otsu, said: “Our party PDP, stands a very good chance to win the 2023 election, considering the socio-political dynamics playing out in Nigeria. However, it is sad that we are bedevilled by such an issue as the resignation of the National Chairman.
“My take is that, without any prejudices, Dr Ayu needs to be a gentleman and allow his word to be his bond. Trust is earned by action, especially action based on promises made or word given.
“Nigeria and PDP have always operated on a balance of regional equilibrium. If we do not address the current disequilibrium in the party, it will spell doom for our fortunes in the election. Remember it’s a three or four horse race today, unlike the usual two horse race of the past. As I speak, it’s too close to call a prospective winner, which is why we must work hard. But in working hard, we must not allow our sense of greed and selfish indiscretion to rob us of any regional or demographic sentiments,” he added.
