Some People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains in Nsukka, Enugu State, have described the resignation of Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, the party’s National Chairman, on Wednesday as a welcome development. In separate interviews with newsmen in Nsukka on Thursday, they said that the resignation would pave the way for the party to move forward.

Fayose and Muazu

Mr Alpho Nweze, the PDP Chairman in Nsukka Local Government Area, said that the resignation would provide the party the opportunity to re-organise and reposition itself for the tasks ahead. He added that it would enable the party to find out why PDP performed poorly in the 2015 general elections. “His resignation is a welcome development as it helps in reorganising and moving the party forward.”

Nweze, however, said that Mu‘azu might not be the only problem of the PDP, adding that other National Working Committee members that did not live up to expectations should also resign honourably. He said that their resignation became imperative in order to overhaul the party. In his remarks, Mr Tony Ugwu, a former Chairman, Nsukka Local Government Area, said PDP’s failure to win the presidential election remained a mystery to him.

“It is a mystery to me how PDP lost the presidency; it is an indication that leaders of the party did not do their homework very well. “To me, Mu’azu bowing out from the stage, when ovation is loud, shows him as a listening leader who will not want to be disgraced out of office. For him to lose in his own state in the general elections may be an indication that he has no grassroots popularity.”

Mr Celestine Ogbu, the leader, Nsukka Legislative Council, said the former national chairman’s resignation was expected, given the poor performance of PDP in this year’s general elections. “Every good leader must take responsibility for the success and failure of his organisation. “Many party members believe that Mu’azu must go since he is the first national chairman to lead the party to lose the presidency in the past 16 years.”

“However, more National Working Committee and state Executive council members, who through one anti-party activity or the other, contributed to failure of the party during 2015 elections should also be forced to resign. Ogbu said that for the party to be re-organised, re-focused and repositioned, all members found wanting in their positions should be sanctioned, according to the party’s laid down rules and regulations.

Mu’azu resigned on Wednesday for health reasons while Anenih did so, hinging his action on the current state of affairs in the party.