The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has urged the aggrieved factions in the party to have a rethink and retrace their steps.
The former vice president stated this while reacting to the voluntary withdrawal of Governor Nyesom Wike and his allies from the PDP presidential campaign council on the evening of Tuesday, September 20.
Wike and his allies are demanding the resignation of the PDP national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
Addressing journalists during the press conference, Chief Olabode George likened the composition of the campaign council to a case of putting the cart before the horse.
“The published presidential campaign council list translates to putting the cart before the horse.” The pertinent issue remains the Ayu leadership. We, therefore, resolve that Senator Iyorchia Ayu resign as the national chairman for an acting chairman of southern Nigeria extraction. “We resolved not to participate in the campaign council in whatever capacity until the resignation of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu,” George said.
But in a statement on Wednesday, Atiku said he cannot compel Ayu to resign his position.
“I will urge those members of our party that have stated their resolve to withdraw from the Presidential Campaign Council to have a rethink, retrace their steps, and join us in these efforts,” Atiku said.