The Peoples Democratic Party’s leadership has said that removing its Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, based on agitation by some members, will not work.
It said it would amount to digging a new pit to fill up the old one as its constitution indicates that Ayu’s replacement will have to come from the same zone as his.
Among others, Chief Bode George and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike have called for Ayu’s removal because the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is also a northerner.
But, the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said removing Ayu from office would ignite a constitutional crisis in the party, adding that PDP cannot take the risk.
He said during an encounter with journalists: “Those calling for Ayu’s removal ought to be aware of the implication of their demand. Are they now saying that the present Deputy National Chairman (North), who is from the same Northeast zone as our presidential candidate, be made to replace Ayu, in line with the PDP constitution?
“On the other hand, we would be courting more crisis if we sideline provisions of the constitution by replacing Ayu with another officer from the South.
“We don’t want to go into the election with a constitutional crisis. We have barely six months to the election.
“Even if you say Ayu should go today, his replacement will come from the same North.
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“There had been a precedence. When (Umaru) Yar’adua became our candidate (2007), Ahmadu Ali, a fellow northerner, was the national chairman and remained so until the party won the 2003 elections.
“Several organs of the party have met on different occasions and have passed a vote of confidence in his leadership and the National Working Committee.”
He added: “Elections are coming and we don’t need a distraction. You can’t destroy the whole for a part. We respect people’s rights and positions but going into negotiations, you cannot say it is either this or nothing.
“It means you’re not ready to negotiate. We are all interested in the survival of our party and our nation Nigeria. We will look at the need to do the balancing.”
