PDP crisis: Ayu acting immature… party chair must be southerner, says Bode George

Bode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the national chairman of the party must come from the south.

George’s comment comes amid a crisis in the party, following the outcome of the PDP presidential primary and the choice of a vice-presidential candidate.

There have been calls for Iyorchia Ayu to resign as PDP national chairman, since he is a northerner like Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the party.

However, the PDP national chairman has insisted that he will complete his tenure.

Speaking on Thursday at the inauguration of road projects in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers state, George criticised Ayu over the latter’s recent comment, in which he referred to those calling for his resignation as “children”.

According to the PDP chieftain, Ayu is being “immature” with his stance, adding that a southerner should be PDP chairperson in the light of the current circumstances.

“You see, hear when a serving national chairman of our party is calling elected governors children. Does he think that children don’t grow? Or there is a life perpetual on him? We need to watch our language. It shows to me that it is him that is immature,” he said.

“As we prepare to begin campaigning for 2023 general election at the end of this month, we must be united in our determination to ensure that the PDP returns to the presidential villa in Abuja on May 29, 2023, and by the grace of God and the will of the people, that will happen.

“But we can only go back to Aso Rock if we united and not divided. Some people are abusing governor Wike, that he’s a troubleshooter. Those abusing him, as an elder as a father in this party, I’m directing them that they must stop immediately, because governor Wike is only fighting for justice, equity and fairness in our party.

“He is not only a strong pillar in this party, but a mobiliser, financier and actualiser. Since he joined the PDP, he has not left this party. I am also a founding father of the party, and since 1998, I have not left this party. What we are saying is that the issue of the national chairman of PDP must be addressed before the commencement of the campaign for the 2023 elections.

“It is an antithesis and against the norm and culture of our party that the presidential candidate, our national chairman, and the chairman of the board of trustees will come from one section of the country.

“Party members from the south are already feeling alienated. PDP is not a private company. Before we start the presidential campaign, the national chairman must go to the south. This is all governor Wike is saying. And as a life member of the board of trustees of our party, I support this position 100 percent.

“Statutorily, it is the national chairman, who hands over the party’s flag to our presidential candidate. How will party members of the south feel when they see that at all political rallies, southerners have no public political representation?

“This constitutes a fundamental flaw and lack of inclusiveness, which will be diametrically opposed to the original thinking of the founding fathers of the party.”

George also urged Nigerians to support the PDP in the forthcoming elections, and called for restructuring of the country.

“Nigerians are tired and waiting for our party in 2023,” he added.