The internal and rising call for the resignation of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Iyorchia Ayu by the party stakeholder may be yielding results as Olusegun Mimiko and Taofeek are possible replacement for the embattled chairman.
Goldennewsng reports that the final decision on the resignation of Ayu would be nailed by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP on Thursday.
Recall that the Board of Trustees, chairman, Jubrin on a live television interview said it would be an injustice for the presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, probably he wins 2023 general election to be North, the national chairman, Ayu and the BoT chairman all to be North.
Jibrin said he would have resigned but for months to round off his tenure as the BoT chairman. He called on Ayu to leave.
A Chieftain of the PDP, Bode George was also vocal in his call for Ayu resignation, stating that Ayu had made the promise to resign if a Northerner emerges as the PDP presidential candidate in the build-up to their May primary election.
But the call for Ayu’s resignation emanated from one of the conditions given by the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who stated among other conditions that he would work for Atiku if only Ayu resigns.
The condition of Wike unsettled the PDP as the party needs Southern votes to have high chance of winning the 2023 general election.
A source that spoke to The Guardian on the build-up to Ayu’s resignation said the National Vice Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, is being considered to act as national chairman pending a mid-term convention or draft former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, who is known to be an ally of Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
“When the various leadership caucuses meet in the coming week, decision would be taken on the matter. But, for now, it is the general opinion of members that Ayu should go in the interest of the party. We have a tradition; so, whether Arapaja is to act or somebody else would come in does not matter. We need to unite and move the party forward,” he stated.
Reacting to the consideration of Arapaja and Mimiko, the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Debo Ologunagba, said, “Well, I am not aware of this. If it is happening, I will be in a position to know and it would be a decision of the organs of the party. And there is no such thing to my knowledge at this time.
“I am sure the NWC (National Working Committee) would have to meet, that is an organ of the party. Most likely, the NEC (National Executive Committee) will meet. The last meeting of NWC was last Thursday, the next one will be next Thursday and there is nothing like that on the agenda to my knowledge as at now.”
Another hurdle that may not require the athletic prowess of Tobi Amusan, but Atiku’s ability to maneuver as he allegedly did in the presidential primary, according to Ayodele Fayose, who alleged that the choice of Atiku was against the constitution of the PDP, is the same constitution.
The constitution of PDP has a laid down route to be followed if a national chairman resigns or leaves office before the end of his or her tenure.
Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun, Deputy National Chairman (North), would be the one to take the position of Ayu if he were to resign until a convention is held to properly constitute another executive, according to Section 45 (I and II) of the party’s Constitution.
