Elder Statesman and former Federal Information Commissioner, Chief Edwin Clark, on Tuesday, asked the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, to resign his position describing him as unfit, inept and inefficient to lead PDP.
The leader of the PANDEF, stated that the action of the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, in his open visit to Governor Tambuwal to congratulate and hail him for “his dirty politics was extreme worse situation.”
According to Clark, the words accredited to Ayu as having called Tambuwal, as “the hero of the Convention”, clearly reveals his partiality and predilection in the processes leading to the baffling conclusion of the PDP presidential primary.
He described Ayu’s statement as undignified and parochial, adding that his motive was to please his northern principals, which according to him was a big disgrace
“Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s appalling, thoughtless and unpatriotic public conduct bears grave negative consequences. He should, therefore, no longer consider himself fit and proper to retain his position as the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and should resign now.”
The leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, in his reaction to the outcome of PDP presidential primary on Saturday, described the primary as worrisome and distrubing, especially the “outrageous financial inducements of delegates and the cynical dollarization of the electoral process”.
The Elder statesman said what happened at the PDP primaries and in other primaries to come is a strong indication of the 2023 general elections, mainly the presidential and their aftermaths.
Chief Clark frowned at the outcome of the election, which he said leaves much to be desired; adding that it was very unjust and rather unwholesome.
According to him, it would definitely have an ugly impact, severe, and adverse ramifications on the future unity of the country.
Clark said the activities of Tambuwal, was not only dishonourable but also a serious electoral abnormality and a tragic betrayal of national patriotism for hidebound interests.
“I was alarmed by the outrageous and Machiavellian manner in which Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Sokoto State, was so apparently “arranged” to announce his withdrawal from the contest, at the last minute; his speech changed the mood of the event.
“That was done in order to foist another Northerner as the Party’s flag bearer; having regard to the fact that Governor Aminu Tambuwal was the only aspirant from the whole of the North West, which had about 192 delegates at the Convention.
“What Tambuwal did was not only dishonourable but also a serious electoral abnormality and a tragic betrayal of national patriotism for hidebound interests.” He said.
He berated the tribal and religious role of attitude exhibited by Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Sokoto State, during the primaries and described it as a “Machiavelli manner”.
In his statement on Tuesday, the frontline activist and politician said he appreciates the reasons given by Mr Peter Obi for his withdrawal from the PDP, both as a member, and as an aspirant few days before the party’s primary.
“I decided to issue this Press Release because of the worrying occurrences in our polity vis-a-vis the dappled Party Primaries being conducted, across the Country; the reported outrageous financial inducements of Delegates and the cynical dollarization of the electoral process
“These happenings give strong warnings of, more likely, deleterious outcomes of the 2023 General Elections, mainly the Presidential, and their aftermaths.
“Most disturbing is what happened at the Special National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in Abuja, on Saturday, 28th May 2022
“I followed the live broadcasts of the proceedings, keenly, until about 12.30 am on Sunday, the 29th. I was quite impressed by the efforts of the Convention Committee, which was headed by former Senate President, Senator David Mark, and his assistants, particularly, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri.
” But, sadly, the outcome of the election leaves much to be desired; it was very unjust and rather unwholesome. It will definitely impact severe, adverse ramifications on the future unity of the Country.
He condemned the obscene monetization of the PDP primaries in a strong term adding that such was what made Mr Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a businessman from Borno State, to suddenly, withdrawn from the contest, citing its obscene monetization as his reason but that truth has been known.
“It is now widespread understanding that there were pressures mounted on Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, to also withdraw, while Tambuwal deliberatly delayed his action till the last minute. By so doing, unduly swept his North West votes to Atiku Abubakar.
“One can now appreciate the reasons given by Mr Peter Obi for his withdrawal from the PDP, both as a Member, and as an Aspirant, few days before the Party’s Primary.” He said.
