The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has bowed to court judgement by stepping down to allow for peace and progress of the party.
Announcing this Tuesday at a press conference in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba said Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, the Deputy National Chairman (North), would serve as acting National Chairman.
Ayu’s travail started with the suspension by the PDP ward executives, Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State led by the ward secretary, Vangeryina Dooyum at on Sunday, on behalf of Kashi Philip, the ward chairman, over alleged anti-party activities.
Ayu’s travail started when a High Court in Makurdi, Benue State, issued an interim injunction restraining Ayu from parading himself as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The presiding judge, Justice W.I. Kpochi, gave the interim order on Monday in the suit No. MHC/85/2023 filed at the court by Terhide Utaan with Ayu and the PDP as defendants.
The case was adjourned until April 17 for further hearing.
The application was supported by a 15 paragraph affidavit to which it was annexed three exhibits as exhibits A1, A2 and B which were the applicant’s membership card, of the second defendant, receipts for payment of dues and a vote of no confidence passed in the 1st defendant by the Igyorov Council Ward of the 2nd defendant in Gboko Local Government, Benue State.
The court statement said, “Upon hearing Mr. M. T. Assoh of Learned Counsel ably move the application and upon a dispassionate consideration of the facts placed before me in the pool of the affidavit evidence, and again, upon the consideration of the issues distilled in the written address by M. T. Assoh of Learned Counsel, it is my candid view that this is a proper case to grant the interim injunction as craved.
“Consequently, this application is hereby granted in terms of the reliefs captured in the motion papers as herein before reproduced. It is so ordered.”
Recall that Iyorchia Ayu was suspended by the Ward Executive of the party in Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state.
Addressing the media Sunday, on behalf of Kashi Philip, the Ward Chairman, the Ward Secretary Mr. Vangeryina Dooyum explained that Dr. Ayu was suspended by the Executive for alleged anti party activities.
The Secretary stated that the decision to suspend the National Chairman was reached after the leadership reviewed his conduct at the end of the just concluded general elections.
According to him, “We observed with utmost dismay that, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu who is the National Chairman of the PDP worked against the success of the party in Igyorov Council Ward.
“It is on record that, he has also failed to pay his Annual Subscription Fees as provided under Section 8 (9) of the constitution of the PDP 2017 (As Amended).
“Further investigation also revealed that, he did not vote during the Governorship and State Assembly Elections held on March 18, 2023.
“It was also discovered that, most of his closest allies worked for the opposition party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, and hence, the abysmal performance of the PDP in Igyorov Ward.
“In view of the foregoing, we hereby pass a Vote of No Confidence on Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and suspend him as a member of our party with immediate effect. The suspension takes effect from March 24, 2023.”
Meanwhile, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, the Deputy National Chairman (North), has assumed office as the PDP acting National Chairman.
Addressing the press, Damagum said he would fort pending the meeting of NWC to resolve the issue.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Damagum said National Working Committee of the party would meet to decide on the next line of action.
