PDP BoT Chairman, Jibrin, Backs Wike’s Camp, Says Party’s Leadership Structure Unfair To The South

By Akinwale Kasali

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustee, BoT Chairman, Senator Jibrin has agreed that the leadership hierarchy of the Party is Pro-North.

By agreeing to that, Jibrin has backed the Camp of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, which has been fighting the party over the situation.

In the crisis that has engulfed the Party since Atiku Abubakar won the Presidential Primary, one of the requests by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and his Camp is that the Party Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, should step down for a Southerner since Atiku is from the North. Ayu’s refusal to do so has caused a stalemate in the ongoing peace talk.

Jibrin, who had earlier made this assertion, faulting the leadership structure of the opposition Party, further reaffirmed his  position while featuring on a Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today.

He insisted that it was unfair for the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar; its national Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu; and himself to come from the North.

Jibril, in a statement, on Tuesday he stood by his earlier position.

He said, “Based on my earlier statement that the PDP cannot produce a Northern President, National Chairman, BoT Chairman all from the North for the 2023 Presidential elections, I still maintain my stand on that statement.

“The PDP is a party that caters for all Nigerians; it is not sectional but loved by all Nigerians.”

He said as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, there was the need for him to speak the truth regardless of any form of rejection.

“As a PDP BoT Chairman, I must say the truth and nothing but the truth no matter anyone’s criticism. I do not fear anyone but God and the true agenda of our party.  I will add that I stand strongly on my toes; I have been a true member of PDP since its inception in 1998.

Today, I am one of the Trustees’ members of the party who remained in the party since 1998 that never changed to any party passing all positions in the PDP,” Jibril said.

There is pressure on Ayu to step down, but he insists he was elected to a four-year tenure. However, Atiku said in an interview on ARISE TV, that Ayu would step if he wins the Presidential election.