Former presidential candidate Sam Ohuabunwa, a PDP chieftain, has encouraged Iyorchia Ayu, the party’s national chairman, to step down in order to put an end to the hostility between Atiku Abubakar and Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State.
Mr Ohuabunwa who made the call on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday evening bemoaned the ongoing conflict between Mr. Atiku and Mr. Wike, pointing out that it was causing the PDP diversion as the elections in 2023 get closer.
According to him, the party’s inability to resolve the dispute demonstrates a lack of conflict resolution skills.
Ohuabunwa said, “This party is bleeding right now”.
When he was chosen as Chairman last year, Mr. Ayu reportedly pledged to step down if the party nominates a Northerner for president.
As part of efforts to manipulate zoning issues within the PDP, it was anticipated that Mr. Ayu would keep his word and vacate the seat for a Southerner if Mr. Abubakar emerged as the party’s presidential flagbearer.
People with knowledge of the situation claim that Mr. Wike also stipulated Mr. Ayu’s resignation as a need for the success of the peace negotiations with Mr. Atiku.
In the PDP presidential primary, Mr. Wike was defeated by Mr. Atiku and rejected as a vice presidential candidate, but the latter is thought to be crucial to the party’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.
Mr. Ayu, meanwhile, has insisted he has no plans to step down.
