*Pro-Wike group to boycott NEC
*As BoT Chairman threatens to resign
*South not interested in the post
The National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scheduled to hold Thursday may become riotous following the demand for the resignation of the National-Chairman of the party, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu.
It was learnt that some governors loyal to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, some NEC members have also resolved to boycott the NEC meeting as long as it will be provided by Ayu.
This is even as the Board of Trustees Chairman of the party, Sen. Walid Jubrin has threatened to resign due to the lopsided leadership in the party.
The party had scheduled to hold it’s NEC meeting today (Thursday) after it’s BoT meeting and National Caucus meeting.
Top on the agenda of the NEC is the ratification of the membership of the party’s National Presidential Campaign Council and decision on the continued stay of Ayu.
Many party stakeholders who are unhappy over the lopsidedness of the party’s national leadership have teamed up with Wike in demanding that the national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, step aside for a substitute from the southern zone.
The PDP BoT Chairman Sen. Walid Jubrin in a statement maintained that the party is unfair to the South as most of the leadership positions are occupied by Northerners.
Sen. Jubrin stressed that he has not changed his earlier position that the party cannot produce the Presidential Candidate, National Chairman and BoT Chairman at the same time while the south that has supported it since 1999 is left with nothing.
He said, “Based on my earlier statement that PDP cannot produce in North president, National Chairman, BoT Chairman all from the North for 2023 presidential elections. I still maintain my stand on that statement. PDP is a democratic and national party that cater for all Nigerians, it’s not sectional but loved by all Nigerians.
“As a PDP BoT Chairman I must say the truth and nothing but the truth no matter anyone’s criticism. I don’t fear anyone but God and true agenda of our party. I will add that I stand strongly on my toes”.
Sources have disclosed that some NEC members have been drafted to ensure that Ayu does not precide over the NEC meeting.
According to the source that spoke on camera, “Party members are bring mobilized to boo the chairman and embarace him at NEC.
“The group are not happy that Ayu has refused to honour an agreement where he pledged to vacate office if a northern emerges as the party’s candidate.
“Part of the plan is to organize a protest group to carry placards demanding for the exit of the party’s chairman”.
The group are also accusing the party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar of shielding Ayu due to his inordinate ambition. They said Atiku was in a better position to call Ayu to order and ensure that the party is not divided ahead of the general election.
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the party from the South has said that the speculated resignation of the BoT chairman will be of little or no effect of the agitations of the South.
He said, “What is at stake here is the position of the National Chairman and not that of the BoT chairman. The BoT is just an advisory body and not in a position to take any decisive decision.
“The North can keep it or Ayu should even replace the BoT chairman while a southern should take over his position”.
