From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, has declared their support for the national chairman of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.
The party faulted the call by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oye State that Ayu should resign his position.
In a statement made available to our correspondent by the State Caretaker Chairman of the party, Dr Akindele Adekunle, the party stated that there was no meeting where the South West agreed to call for the removal of the national chairman, stressing that “the call is not a mainstream position of the party in the region.
“The leadership of the PDP in Osun state wishes to affirm that we are not part of any revolt against the national leadership of the PDP. We remain guided and loyal to the PDP constitution which stipulates processes for leadership election and removal. As a party with a democratic tradition, we see no justification for any anti-democratic agitation to torpedo the ship of the party at this very critical stage of national campaigns and pre-election preparation.
“Dr Ayu who was duly elected at a properly constituted National Convention with a four-year mandate also has the vote of confidence of the party’s National Executive Committee, the party’s highest decision-making organ. Our party Chairman is a principled leader whose integrity is second to none. We consequently disagree with any move to undermine the office of the national Chairman.
“Furthermore, we commend the Presidential candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for his steadfastness and commitment to upholding the party constitution. His response in support of the party constitution reassured all that the PDP is a party of law and due process.
“We also use this medium too, on behalf of our teeming members, to apologize to members of the PDP National Working Committee and other leaders over the embarrassment the resignation call may have caused them. The occasion was a solemn one where party loyalists gathered to host our national leaders and demonstrate our preparedness for the task ahead. It was not an avenue for factional rhetoric.
“While reaffirming our passion to mobilize for PDP’s victory in their forthcoming General Elections, we restate our resolve to embrace all that is constitutional, unifying and contributory to the success of the party and its leadership. We stand to be counted all the time as agents of electoral success without tolerance for estranging antics,” the statement added.