Udom Emmanuel, Akwa Ibom State Governor is not talkative. He is restrained. And diplomatic.
Since his expected poor performance at the Presidential Primary, Emmanuel has been quiet. He has never said anything about his Presidential loss, as well as the Vice Presidential slot after his name was shortlisted alongside Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and the eventual choice, Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. He has been minding his business in his State. Not even saying a word, publicly, on the crisis that has engulfed his party.
But all that changed when he was named the Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council of the PDP.
Speaking on Thursday in an interview with Channels Television, Emmanuel was drawn into the crisis and the solution. And without mentioning the name of the National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu. and/or the pressure on him by the Wike Camp to step down for a Southerner, Governor Emmanuel diplomatically backed that call for Ayu to quit office.
He said that people should keep to the promises they made. He was obviously referring to Ayu.
Wike and a number of people insist that Ayu, on more than one occasion, promised to step down as Chairman for a Southerner if a Northerner won the President ticket. Wike also revealed that Atiku told him the same thing – that Ayu would go. Both men have reneged on their promise.
Speaking on it, Emmanuel said: “One thing I discovered about politics and life is that people should try to do what they said they would do. That’s the crux of some of the problems.
“If I say I would do this when A happens, let me keep to that. If I say I will do B if C happens; let me keep to that.
“The earlier, as a Country, we keep to our words and promises, the better for everybody.”
Asked if Ayu should go, inspite of his four-year tenure, he said: “Some things are lawful but not all things are expedient. I’m coding my expression here. So, let’s look at those things that are expedient for peace sake.
“I believe somebody like me, if I know, even as lawful as that thing may be, if it is expedient for the sake of peace, and for us to move, I think I can take certain actions.”
The Party is expected to inaugurate its Campaign Council next week. But the Wike Camp has pulled out of it.
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