The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman in the last Ekiti State governorship election, Lere Olayinka has called for the resignation of the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
Newsonline reports that Lere said that Ayu cannot be removed from his position as the national chairman because of the party’s constitution, but he should resign in the interest of balance of positions in the party.
The PDP House Representatives candidate for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2, added that the crisis in the main opposition party is about conflict of interest, stating that where the interests of all party’s in the conflict are settled the party becomes stronger.
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Olayinka said, “There are two sides to a coin. If you ask me, I will tell you that in the interest of balancing he should go. But nobody is saying Ayu should be removed, saying somebody should resign is different from saying he should be removed. Resign in the interest of balance, unity, and the interest of peace in the party.
He added, “If I were to be in his shoes, I will weigh my options and ask myself – if I resign, will it increase the chances of the party in the election? If my resignation will enhance the chances of the party in the election, I will not wait a second before resigning. For instance, if people say if I drop my House of Representatives ticket, it will be easier to win the presidential election, then I will drop it.”
Speaking on the crisis ravaging the party since it had its presidential primary election, Lere, added that protecting individual interests must be assured by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar for peace to reign.
“All that is happening in the PDP is the normal conflict and I can assure you that we’re resolving it. As I speak, the gladiators are talking. It is about people protecting their interests. Politics is about interest. The moment people are assured that their interests (group interest, state interest, regional interest) are adequately taken care of, all these issues will fizzle out and I can assure you that the one in the PDP will fizzle out. We’ve had greater issues before,” he stated.
The PDP chieftain who stated this in an interview said the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, will not be a threat to the chances of Atiku Abubakar when they head to the polls in February 2023.
