TheCable

Ifedayo Adedipe, Ondo central senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asked Iyorchia Ayu to step down from his position as national chairman of the party.

Adedipe said this on Sunday in an interview with NAN in Akure, the Ondo capital.

The PDP is currently in crisis over calls for Ayu to step down on the grounds that the presidential candidate and national chairman cannot be from the same region.

Among those calling for the national chairman to step down are some PDP governors — including Nyesom Wike of Rivers — and other stakeholders.

Speaking on the development, Adedipe said Ayu needs to borrow a leaf from the action of Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto, who had stepped down for Atiku Abubakar during the party’s presidential primary.

“It is better to make the supreme sacrifice so that the crisis will not damage the party. The crisis is not personal. The aggrieved governors are looking for inclusiveness, and don’t let anybody deceive you that they can do nothing,” he said.

“It will be counterproductive and unhealthy for them to leave because we cannot afford another eight years of APC under any guise.

“Ironically, the PDP has more governors in the south than in the north. So, if I were the chairman, I will not wait till after winning the election before I resign in the interest of the party.

“If Ayu can willingly relinquish his position in the interest of the party, he will automatically become a hero just as Aminu Tambuwal was termed as hero during the night of the party’s convention. Ayu should become a hero by leaving now.”

Adedipe also promised quality representation for his people if elected in the 2023 general election.