Former lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye, has described the attempt by some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remove the party’s chairman, Iyorchia Ayu as a means of committing ‘abortion’
The former senator representing Kogi West further warned against the unceremonial removal of the party Chairman ahead of the 2023 Presidential election.
The Law graduate who spoke during the 75th birthday celebration of Sen. Tunde Ogbeha said the removal of Ayu which is being championed by River State Governor, Nyesom Wike, will lead to a constitutional crisis in the party.
He described Governor Wike as a very responsible Nigerian.
Melaye said, “I was at the convention when he made an open promise before Nigerians on national television that whoever emerges as the candidate of the PDP, he will support that person. I still stand on that because he is a man of integrity and I am not seeing him eating his words.
“So whatever misgiving you see, is as a result of the primary. It is normal that after any primary, there will be agitations and complaints but these are not elements that are strong enough to divide the party.
“We are not out for a constitutional crisis. Iyorchia Ayu is a product of all the governors including Wike. That is why he is a consensus candidate. So asking for Ayu’s removal is uncalled for. Are they saying they didn’t know he was a Northerner before they gave him the consensus candidacy of the party? All the Governors, including Wike spent their money to make Ayu the National Chairman.
“So its too late to call for his removal when we have not even conducted an election. But if and when by the grace of God Atiku becomes the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, or if he becomes President-elect, then we can now go back to the negotiation table and then treat the issue of Ayu. But for now, it is very premature and we cannot commit abortion.”
