2023 poll: Ayu’s refusal to resign costly to Atiku’s chances, says Nkire

All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain, Chief Sam Nkire says the refusal by the national chairman of the people’s democratic party (PDP), Dr Iyorchia Ayu to resign would surely affect the chances of the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 poll.

The APC chieftain in a statement argued that the APC would reap bountifully from the development in the 2023 poll.

Stating that Ayu’s conduct was tantamount to a betrayal of trust, he contended that any political party or its chairman that cannot keep to its words is not worthy of the people’s votes and trust.

The one-time National Chairman of the Progressive People’s Alliance PPA, which had governors in Imo and the Abia States said the trust was the most important collateral a voter should demand before casting his or her ballot for a political party.

Nkire said the nearest anyone could compare the position of a National Chairman of a political party to, was to those of the judge, pastor or imam who were expected to discharge their duties with the utmost sense of accountability to God and man.

He noted: “For Dr Iyorchia Ayu to deny saying that he would resign as National Chairman of PDP if a northerner became the presidential candidate of PDP is most appalling and disgraceful, especially as he was caught on tape and in print”.

The former PPA National Chairman said the only saving grace for the PDP would be for the leadership of the party to ask Iyorchia Ayu to own up and keep to his words, “otherwise, the Chairman and the party will pay dearly for being unreliable and untrustworthy “.

Nkire said although his party, the All Progressives Congress APC, would be the greatest beneficiary if the PDP and its chairman continued to exhibit a lack of integrity and truth, he thought it would be an act of statesmanship for leaders to honour their promises and “do the right thing at the right time”.