George and Bucknor-Akerele insist Ayu must quit

• Saying PDP can lose if they don't address grievances

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Vice President, Chief Bode George has called on the party's National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, to step down from his post to resolve the stalemate caused upon his resignation.

He said such a move would save the party from a "clear and present danger" that could thwart the window of opportunity for him to return to power next year.

Speaking to reporters and party loyalists in Lagos, George said his call was based on the fact that it made no political sense for the presidential candidate and the national chairman to come from the same area, if equity, fairness and justice, which had always been the basis of political decisions in the party, are taken into account.

He said maintaining the status quo “will be an affront, an impunity and an insult to the electorate and to party members in the South.”

Also speaking at the event, former Lagos State Deputy Governor Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele called on Ayu to step down as National President, saying remaining in office would be a insult to party members in the South.

Former presidential candidate and governor of River State, Nyesom Wike and his camp have backed the call for Ayu's resignation, following the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate of the party, citing Ayu's pledge to do so ahead of the convention.

George said: "With two weeks until the start of the election campaign which we believe will usher in a PDP government in Aso Rock in 2023, unfortunately our party is on the brink of a dangerous crisis, if the critical issues in pending are not treated urgently.

“Party unity and the inclusiveness of all members are the ingredients of a viable strategy for our electoral victory.

"Now we have a situation where some elders are saying, it doesn't matter. Can we participate in the elections with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, from the same area, leading our national campaign ?

“I want our members to know that as one of the fathers of the party and as a former national vice-president, it is not in my character to minimize the interest of our party, but when issues arise that may impede the progress of our party, we must speak up."

While observing that some party leaders were directly or indirectly responsible for the current crisis due to their personal interests, the former Ondo State military administrator said he would not remain passive when the party's collective unity is fragmented.

He stressed the need to include all Nigerians in the political process and especially in the PDP. George said, “As party leaders, we must not pander to ethnicity because the PDP is the only true national party. The APC is just a congregation of strange bedfellows.

“PDP members must be ready to seize this opportunity to move the country forward. This cannot be achieved when party leaders insist on peddling nasty rumors and throwing mud on each other. »

He warned that such divisions could see the party lose the presidential election, if it fails to address the sentiment and grievances of "alienation" currently felt by the wider population of southern country.

According to him, if the question is defeated, the party should not expect votes from the south.

"We should be seen as pursuing noble causes and not ethnic goals. The ethnic groups in this country are on the brink of collapse. It has never been so bad historically and Nigerians are waiting for us to change the situation for the better.

“Until this party returns to the principles of unity of the founding fathers and ensures openness to address the concerns of all areas, the PDP will be in the 2023 elections,” he said. declared.

George recalled that Dr Ayu had made it clear that if the presidential candidate emerges from the North, he would resign so that a new national president emerges from another area before the start of the presidential campaign.

He expressed concern over why he refused to honor his words, asking, "Why is he backing down? What is driving his reluctance not to resign?

"We promise Nigerians that when we come to government, every tribe will have a say in government, but now how do we want Nigerians to trust us when we can't keep a simple promise ?

"Our National President made a promise and in such a short time he broke the promise."

As the presidential campaign kicks off in late September, George wondered how southern PDP leaders would convince their electorate to vote for Atiku when there is no substantial national position in the South West.

“How can you approach the election season with this type of division and hope to win the presidential election on February 25? Unless we are united, unless we have fairness, fairness and justice in our system, the...