A former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko may replace embattled Mational Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu in the coming days.
It was learnt that the leadership may finally bow to the request of the PDP strong man, Governor Nyesom Wike.
There has been intense pressure on Ayu to step down from his position following the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the PDP’s presidential candidate.
The camp of Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has repeatedly said the resignation of Ayu as PDP Chairman is the number one condition for peace to reign in the party.
Atiku however said Ayu can only step down if the PDP wins the presidential election as both the National Chairman and President cannot come from the same Northern zone.
Though Ayu is still holding tenaciously to his position, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) told our Reporter that stakeholders in the party are already looking beyond him.
He explained that the leaders of the party have contacted Chief Olabode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, but he declined on age grounds, adding that some stakeholders in the South-West zone have penciled down Mimiko if the position is given to the South West.
“I don’t see how Ayu will survive this because Wike and the governors loyal to him won’t budge. In fact, right now, the party is already looking beyond Ayu”.
“I can categorically tell you that Chief George was offered the position but he declined saying on account of his age, he can’t cope with the rigours especially of a national campaign in 2023”.
“He has nominated Mimiko, former Ondo State governor for the position” he said.
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
