One of the closest aides of Oyo’s Governor ‘Seyi Makinde and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Dare Adeleke has joined the list of top members of the party calling for Dr Iyorchia Ayu’s resignation as Chairman of the party.
Adeleke who is known for his fearlessness when it comes to expressing his opinions, said Ayu should put the party first and resign now in the interest of all members.
Adeleke, in a press statement released in Ibadan said it is only fair that Ayu saves the party at this critical time.
“We cannot pretend not to be aware that our party is going through some internal wrangling at this moment and we must not take the obvious disquiet for granted.
“I am sure that all members are aware that our party has always respected the power sharing system handed down by our founding fathers and we must also remember that the present chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, being from the north agreed to step down if the presidential candidate emerged from the same zone.
“Today, we have the dynamic Turaki Adamawa as presidential candidate and one wonders what Ayu is still waiting for to resign as chairman of our party.
“As a founding member of the PDP, I implore the leaders of our great party to speak to the power within the party, to allow peace to reign by ensuring Dr Iyorchia Ayu resigns and saves the party.
“We cannot afford to put our personal interests above the party at such a critical time.
“Electioneering has started in earnest and the PDP cannot go to the field as a divided house.
“We have Nyesom Wike on one hand, who is aggrieved and as we try to placate him back into the fold, we must be seen to be doing the right thing by our people,” the statement reads in part.
Adeleke said more in the statement: “I urge Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a great statesman, a man known for his wisdom and patience to find a way of bringing Wike back. Not one army in the PDP should be allowed out of the party right now. We need every member, especially one who has been loyal and faithful to the party.
“His Excellency, Gov. Nyesom Wike, a one-man squad riot, stood with the party since inception. He must be pacified to resume his onslaught against the APC.
“In the same vein, Iyorchia Ayu’s determination to hold on to the chairmanship position is not fair and not right and is unsettling to many members.
“As a staunch member of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu should preserve the PDP now and honourably resign.”
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
