The chairman of Nigeria’s ruling party has resigned after criticism following its primary election last week won by President Goodluck Jonathan, a party official said on Tuesday.
The resignation by Okwesilieze Nwodo comes after complex legal manoeuvring which challenged his authority within the Peoples Democratic Party, but also signals internal rifts amid an intense campaign ahead of April elections.
“Following his behaviour at the just concluded PDP special convention in Abuja which embarrassed party members, Dr Okwesilieze has resigned as the national chairman of the party and his resignation has been accepted by the party,” PDP official Jerry Gana told journalists, referring to the primary.
“The party has consequently empowered the deputy national chairman, Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed, to act as the chairman of the party.”
Local media indicated Jonathan was unhappy with Nwodo, with some reports saying he has been accused of supporting the president’s northern opponent in the primary, Atiku Abubakar.
Nwodo was also accused of insisting he preside over the primary vote by delegates last week at Abuja’s Eagle Square parade ground despite a court order the previous day barring him from acting as chairman.
He delivered an opening address at the primary on Thursday, putting the party in the awkward position of having to hastily decide that his deputy take over the duties. His deputy was also forced to re-read the opening address.
Jonathan handily defeated Abubakar, an ex-vice president who had the support of a group of prominent northern politicians, but divisions within the party remain with some arguing a northerner should have received the nomination.