Ayu can’t go now, Atiku replies Makinde

Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says unless the party’s constitution is amended, Senator Iyiorcha Ayu, its national chairman, cannot be asked to resign.

He was reacting to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State comments that Ayu must resign if the party must move forward.

Makinde, who belongs to the camp of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, made this call at the South-West PDP stakeholders meeting with Atiku on Wednesday.

“If we want to restructure Nigeria, we must have the willingness to bring inclusivity to the PDP. Do we have the capacity? The answer is a resounding yes. The message from the South-West PDP is that the South-West is asking that the National Working Committee of the PDP should be restructured. We are asking the National Chairman to step down so that the South will be fully included. That is the message,” he had said.

In his reaction, Atiku said, “I have no problem about anywhere any party member comes from but it must be done in accordance with the party’s constitution or regulations and practices. What governor Seyi Makinde is calling for is achievable under the party’s constitution under the party rules and regulations and procedures.

“This constitution must guide whatever changes we make, so that is why we cannot do anything outside that constitution unless it is amended. We do not say people should not have different views but all views must go through the party’s constitution, rules regulations and our practices”.

There have been unrelenting calls for the resignation of the Ayu.