The Only Body That Can Remove Ayu As PDP Chairman Has Passed Vote Of Confidence In Him- Atiku Tells Wike, Others

Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar has distanced himself from the loud call for the removal of National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, from office.

Atiku took this stance while making his reaction to the withdrawal of some governors and other leaders of the party loyal to governor Nyesom Wike from his campaign council.

Wike’s Camp had announced its withdrawal from Atiku’s Campaign Council immediately after the meeting held between the two camps on Wednesday morning in Port Harcourt.

The aggrieved camp cited a condition that Iyorchia Ayu must resign or be removed and another National Chairman emerges from the Southern region before they can support the candidature of the former vice president.

While reacting to the development, Atiku in a statement on Wednesday said he has no power to remove Iyorchia Ayu. He noted that it is only Ayu that has the power to remove himself through resignation and since he has not done that, there is nothing he (Atiku) can do.

He described himself as a democrat who is committed to due process and constitution of the party. Atiku pointed out that the only body that is empowered to remove the chairman has already passed a vote of confidence in him. He urged the aggrieved leaders of the party to work together for the success of the party.

The statement reads in part: “As to the calls for the removal of Dr. Ayu from office, however, I will state that, as a committed democrat and firm believer in the rule of law and democratic tenets, and our party being one set up, organised and regulated by law and our constitution, it is my absolute belief that every thing that we do in our party must be done in accordance with, and conformity to, the law and our constitution.

“If Dr. Ayu is to be removed from office, it must be done in accordance with the laws that set out the basis for such removal. In any event, you will all recall that the very body that is empowered by law to initiate this removal from office, has already passed a vote of confidence in him”