Ayu’s refusal to resign as PDP chairman destroy Atiku’s chance to win presidential election – Bode George

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George on Thursday said the refusal of Iyorchia Ayu, the chairman of the party to resign may affect Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid in 2023.

Chief George made this statement in a press conference on Thursday in Lagos.

The PDP chieftain said the party is at the precipice of a dangerous looming crisis, if pending critical issues are not urgently addressed.

He said: “Members of PDP must be ready to seize this opportunity to move this country forward. This cannot be achieved when leaders of our party insist on peddling ugly rumours and throwing mud at each other.

“We should not allow any sentiment – ethnic or religious to divide us. Unfortunately, with what we are presently witnessing, our party may lose the next presidential election if we continue to disregard or fail to address the feeling and grievances of ‘alienation’ being presently experienced by the entire Southern population of this great country. If this issue is dismissed, we cannot expect votes from them.

“We should be seen to pursue noble causes and not ethnic agenda. Ethnic groups in this country are at the precipice of collapse. It has never been this bad historically and Nigerians are waiting for us to change the situation of things for the better.”

Chief George further said unless PDP is united, with equity, fairness and justice, the former ruling party may be fragmented before 2023.

“Dr. Ayu promised openly, before the presidential primary in May, to resign, if the presidential candidate emerges from the North. So, why has he refused to honour his words? Why is he reneging? What is driving his reluctance not to resign?

“We are promising Nigerians that when we get to government, every tribe will have a say in government but now, how do we want Nigerians to trust us when we cannot fulfil a simple promise? Our national chairman made a pledge and in such a short time he has broken the pledge.

“Our presidential candidate in the person of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has emerged, so what is wrong if Dr. Iyorchia Ayu steps aside honourably? Is our party an ethnic business enterprise or a private organisation?” Chief George asked.

He later said Alhaji Atiku Abubakar needs the votes of the millions of southerners and that by leaving Dr. Ayu to remain the national chairman of the party at this time is a high price PDP will pay and a gamble that most likely will cost the party another election loss at the next polls.

“We must, therefore, objectively defend the interest of our party. What can be greater than peace? It is when our party is united, peaceful, focused and organised that we can take the country back from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Let me restate that the position of National Chairman must revert to the South now and not after the general elections. If we don’t do that, then you are telling some Nigerians that you don’t need them to win in 2023 and that will be very unfortunate,” Chief George noted