PDP National Chairman, Ayu suspended for anti-party activities

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, festered on Sunday as the National Chairman of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu was suspended by his Igyorov ward in Gboko local government area of Benue State.

Ayu was accused of anti-party activities.

The suspension of Ayu came few days after the National Working Committee, NWC, of PDP dragged the Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom before the national disciplinary committee of the party and suspended former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose and erstwhile Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim among others.

Ayu’s suspension on Sunday followed a vote of no confidence passed on him by his ward.

A resolution passed at the end of their meeting and read by the Secretary of Igyorov council ward, Mr Banger Dooyum, reads, “The Peoples Democratic Party Executive Committee of Igyorov council ward of Gboko local government area in Benue state has passed a vote of no confidence on the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and suspended him from the party”.

Mr Dooyum, while reading the resolution of the ward Exco, said “He (Ayu) was involved in amti- party activities making the PDP to lose at his ward and local government along with his allies who also didn’t vote at the Governorship Election”

He was also accused of not paying his annual dues as enshrined by the party’s constitution.

It will be recalled that shortly after the Benue State Governor was referred to the National Disciplinary Committee of the PDP for anti-party activities by the National Working Committee, NWC, of PDP chaired by Ayu, the Rivers State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike had dared the national leadership of the PDP, declaring that his Benue State counterpart will not appear before the Committee.

Wike equally described the suspension of former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose and others for anti-party activities by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP as a nullity.

Wike, in the statement, said, “I want to state clearly and let members of the party and Nigerians hear it clearly, the National Working Committee made up of Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who they say is the Chairman of the party; Sam Anyanwu, the national secretary and other members of NWC, cannot suspend Ayo Fayose, not to talk about referring governor Ortom to national disciplinary committee.”

Governor Wike explained that the decision of the NWC to refer governor Ortom to the party’s National Disciplinary Committee is the height of all insult.

He said, “Referring a governor to your so called national disciplinary committee is the height of all insult, and we will not take it. Therefore, be ready for whatever you see as far as this our party is concern.”

Governor Wike stated emphatically that the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom will not appear before the PDP National Disciplinary Committee.

NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed presenting a cheque of the insurance benefit on Corps Member, Omale Victor EB/21A/1487, who went missing in 2021 during his service year in Ebonyi State to his father, Mr Omale Samuel at his residence in Lokoja, Kogi State. Photo: NYSC