We Disagree with Governor Makinde on Calls for Ayu’s Removal – Osun State PDP

From Ogundele Olanrewaju

The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun state has dissociated itself from calls by Governor Seyi Makinde that Dr Iyorchia Ayu should resign as PDP National Chairman, saying we disagree with the Governor’s statement.

In a statement issued in Osogbo and signed by the State Caretaker Chairman of the party, Dr Akindele Adekunle, the party observed that there was no meeting where the South West agreed to call for the removal of the national Chairman, noting that “the call is not a mainstream position of the party in the region.

“The leadership of the PDP in Osun state wishes to affirm that we are not part of any revolt against the national leadership of the PDP. We remain guided and loyal to the PDP constitution which stipulates processes for leadership election and removal. As a party with democratic tradition, we see no justification for any anti-democratic agitation to torpedo the ship of the party at this very critical stage of national campaigns and pre-election preparation.

“Dr Ayu who was duly elected at a properly constituted National Convention with a four year mandate also has the vote of confidence of the party’s National Executive Committee, the party’s highest decision making organ. Our party Chairman is a principled leader whose integrity is second to none. We consequently disgree with any move to undermine the office of the national Chairman.

“Furthermore, we commend the Presidential candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for his steadfastness and committment to uphold the party constitution. His response in support of the party constitution re-assured all that PDP is a party of law and due process.

“We also use this medium to, on behalf of our teeming members, apologise to members of the PDP National Working Committee and other leaders over the embarrassment the resignation call may have cause them. The occassion was a solemn one where party loyalists gathered to host our national leaders and demonstrate our preparedness for the task ahead. It was not an avenue for factional rhetoric.

“While reaffirming our passion to mobilise for PDP’s victory in the forthcoming General Elections, we restate our resolve to embrace all that is constitutional, unifying and contributory to the success of the party and its leadership. We stand to be counted all the time as agents of electoral success without tolerance for enstranging antics”, the statement concluded.