PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has criticized the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, describing him as irrelevant to the party in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections.
During a media chat held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Governor Wike expressed his disappointment with Ayu’s performance, pointing out that the election results indicated no significant political value brought by Ayu to the PDP.
Wike highlighted the stark contrast between Rivers State and Ayu’s Benue State, where the PDP National Chairman failed to secure a victory in his polling unit, ward, and senatorial district. In contrast, Wike noted his efforts in ensuring that the PDP triumphed in all senatorial districts in Rivers State.
Governor Wike stated, “Rivers is PDP. The governorship and national assembly members are PDP. Ayu lost his polling unit. I won three senatorial seats, and 32 house of Assembly seats. He didn’t get anything.”
He also mentioned questioned Ayu’s relevance as the national chairman, stating, “Of what relevance is he as national chairman? He couldn’t deliver his polling unit.”
Despite his opposition to Ayu, Wike vowed never to leave the PDP, emphasizing his commitment to the party and urging the National Working Committee (NWC) to take the right course of action. “I am saying the NWC must do the right thing. I cannot leave this party. Ayu left and came back,” he added.
It is worth noting that Governor Wike has been vocal in his opposition to Ayu’s position as PDP National Chairman, previously calling for his removal following the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the PDP presidential candidate.
“Rivers is PDP. The governorship and national assembly members are PDP. Ayu lost his polling unit. I won three senatorial seats, and 32 house of Assembly seats. He didn’t get anything,” Wike declared.
“Babangida Aliyu did not win. So who is the betrayer? We won to make sure PDP exists. Of what relevance is he as national chairman? He couldn’t deliver his polling unit.
“Mention one state that PDP did what Rivers State did, who loves PDP more? I am saying the NWC must do the right thing. I cannot leave this party. Ayu left and came back.”
Wike has been against Ayu occupying the seat of the PDP National Chairman.
The governor had called for Ayu’s removal following the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the PDP presidential candidate.
