National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iyorchia Ayu, on Thursday, said the leadership of PDP under his watch has returned the party to ordinary Nigerians, adding that no single person or group of people can control the party anymore.
He stated this while addressing party loyalists and candidates who thronged out in large numbers to attend Atiku/Okowa campaign rally, held at ancient Mapo hall in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
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The rally had in attendance, the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar; his wife, Titi; Vice Presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa; Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri; Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri; former Vice President, Namadi Sambo; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; immediate past National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus; former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada; former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke; former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido; former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (State), Jumoke Akinjide; former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Hazeem Gbolarumi; former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Wole Oyelese; the Chairman, Oyo State Advisory Committee to Makinde, Ayoola Agboola, Philip Aduda, Senator representing FCT, Dino Melaye and a host of other party stalwarts across Nigeria.
However, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and the Deputy National Chairman (South), who mobilised all their loyalists and the party candidates in the state for the rally were conspicuously absent.
Speaking further, the party’s national chairman, Ayu said,
In the last one year, the National Working Committee of our leadership has worked tirelessly to make sure that the party returns to the people. No single person or group of people can control this party as long as we do what the people want.
We are the most strengthened today that the party is truly controlled by the ordinary people. Those who are not sure are now sure that this is the party that will survive after the election. There will be no APC in Nigeria. It will disappear from the surface of Nigeria’s air and go back to the small parties they were.
While commending Makinde for mobilising the people for the rally, Ayu said,
Seyi Makinde is a strong PDP member. He is a member of the family and in the family sometimes, you have disagreements, and sometimes you will have people who are not happy.
I, as a father of all PDP in Nigeria, I am calling on all our aggrieved members to come back home.
He was therefore optimistic that the party candidates would sweep the elections at all levels.
In his speech, the presidential candidate, Atiku also thanked Makinde, party candidates and loyalists in the state for ensuring that the rally was well organised.
He promised to restructure Nigeria and give autonomy to both states and local governments if elected.
Atiku said the All Progressives Congress had failed in all ramifications hence the need to vote the party out on February 25, adding that no single promise was fulfilled since APC assumed office about eight years ago.
In his remarks, the vice presidential candidate, Okowa stated that every part of the country is no safer as bandits and kidnapping have taken over many communities.
He said,
This is not the Nigeria of our dream. That is not what Nigeria’s PDP left in 2015. APC has destroyed this nation. But there is hope for tomorrow and that hope lies in you by voting for PDP back to power.
Meanwhile, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has advised the presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku and other party leaders to do everything within their power to ensure reconciliation with the Oyo State Governor, Makinde before the election on February 25, 2023.
PUNCH reports that members of G5 Governors have been at loggerheads with the party leadership over the position of National chairman of the party, insisting that Iyorchia Ayu must step aside for a Southerner.
Speaking through the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Tajudeen Ajibola, Olubadan, who played host to Atiku and his campaign train at his Alarere residence, told him to bring about genuine reconciliation between him and all the aggrieved members of the party before the election.
