The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has suspended its National Chairman, Iyorchi Ayu, over antiparty allegations.
Ayu was suspended by his Igyorov Ward, which passes a vote of no confidence on him on Sunday, in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, where he was accused of anti-party activities and was slammed a suspension order.
Recall that the National Working Committee, NWC, of PDP, had 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 the former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim among others.
The Secretary of Igyorov Council Ward, Mr Banger Dooyum, read the resolution passed at the end of their meeting which supported Ayu’s suspension on Sunday, where a vote of no confidence was passed on him by his ward.
“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”. Dooyum, stated.
Mr Dooyum, while reading the resolution of the ward Exco, said “He (Ayu) was involved in anti- party activities making the PDP to lose at his ward and Local Government Area along with his allies who also didn’t vote at the Governorship Election.”
He was also accused Ayu of not paying his annual dues as enshrined by the party’s constitution.
It would 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 dared the national leadership of the PDP, declaring that his Benue State counterpart would not appear before the Committee.
Wike also 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.
“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.” Wike stated in his statement.
Governor Wike observed that the decision of the NWC to refer governor Ortom to the party’s National Disciplinary Committee is the height of all insult.
“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.” He said.
According to Governor Wike, the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom would not appear before the PDP National Disciplinary Committee.
He explained that Governor Ortom, who had stood firm for the unity of this country, adding that governor Ortom has come out openly to say that Nigeria must be one is not the type that would be referred to the “kangaroo committee.”
According to he Rivers State governor, said if there was anyone who deserved to be suspended from the party, that it must be Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who he accused of contravening the PDP constitution on the zoning of elective and appointive offices.
“If there is any person deserving suspension, it should be you (Ayu), who played anti party by refusing to obey the constitution of the party on zoning of political offices as is required.
“So, whoever tells you that you can suspend people, please tell the person that he is not serious.”
“If you are talking of anti-party, it is you who could not even deliver your unit, deliver your ward that is involved.
“Because of the fraudulent activities you are involved in, people have lost hope in you. That is why you cannot win your unit, win your ward”, he stressed.
Governor Wike advised Ayu and the NWC to desist from threatening the G-5 governors and members of the Integrity Group with suspension.
Wike said that Ayu had by his recent actions opened up a new chapter of political war in the party.
“You cannot cage any of us. Ortom will not appear before any of your so called disciplinary committee. Ayodele Fayose will also never appear before any disciplinary committee”, he vowed.