JUST IN: PDP Crisis: Ayu survives sacking as NEC passes confidence vote to party's NWC

The National Executive Council of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has voted a vote of confidence in the party's National Working Committee (NWC).

The NWC is led by the party's national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

The vote of confidence was passed on the NWC on Thursday, in Abuja.

This was a follow-up to the adoption of a motion on a vote of confidence proposed by the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu.

Tableting the motion, Mr. Elumelu praised Mr. Ayu and the NWC for their stubbornness and handing over Osun State to the party in the July 18 gubernatorial election in the state.

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He also praised the NWC for showing maturity despite disagreements among some members.

"We decided...because the NWC has performed tremendously well," he said. "I propose that a vote of confidence be put to the NWC for their stubbornness, candor and professionalism especially in giving us Osun State and I believe they will give us Nigeria in 2023," he said. said Mr. Elumelu.

His motion was seconded by an APC defector, Ishola Balogun-Fulani. And subsequently, the party's acting chairman of the board, Adolphus Wabara, put the motion to a voice vote - which passed unanimously.

The vote of confidence comes amid a crisis rocking the party with some aggrieved members led by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike calling for Mr Ayu to step down.

Mr. Wike and some southern party leaders have also called for the NWC to be overhauled to balance the imbalance in the leadership structure, which is in favor of the north.

Mr. Ayu, former Senate Speaker, hails from Benue State in the north.

Already, Walid Jibrin, from the state of Nasarawa, also in the north, had resigned as chairman of the PDP BoT a few hours earlier. He made the announcement during the BoT meeting held on Thursday.

And Mr. Wabara, former president of the Senate, was immediately named acting president.

Leaders preach peace

At the NEC meeting, some of the party leaders took turns preaching peace and unity in the party.

Mr. Elumelu, who described the PDP as the solution to the country's many problems, said it was important for the PDP to unite.

READ ALSO: Walid Jibrin, Chairman of PDP BoT, resigns

“We have to learn to forgive each other,” he said. “We cannot all be president, presidential candidate. But together we can lead. If only we can be patient, we can lead. »

For his part, Wabara said the party has a built-in mechanism to resolve issues.

He urged party members to always debrief internally, whatever the issue, rather than playing in front of the gallery.

He also asked members to imitate the president who "does not react" and "does not address the press".

For Atiku Abubakar, the party's presidential candidate, family disagreements are normal.

While he assured that the PDP is committed to resolving internal disagreements, he urged the members to resolve the issues in accordance with the provisions of the party constitution and the rules governing the party.

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