PDP crisis: Real reason Ayu was suspended
By Tunde Opalana
The uneasy calm in the camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was at the weekend broken as its National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu was suspended from the party.
His suspension which no doubt will spark off a post-2023 election crisis came on Saturday as 11 out of the 17 member Executive of PDP in Igyorov Council Ward in Gboko Local Government of Benue State suspended Ayu after passing a vote of no confidence on him.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman, Benue State chapter of the party, titled “Vote of no confidence and suspension of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as member PDP, Igyorov Council Ward, of Gboko Local Government, Benue State”, the national chairman was accused of anti- party activities.
The exco said the decision was taken after reviewing the outcome of both the Presidential and Governorship election on February 25 and March 18.
“We observed with utmost dismay that Dr. Iyorvhia Ayu who is the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP worked against the success of the party at the Igyorov Council Ward.
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“It is on record that he has also failed to pay his Annual Subscription fees as provided under Section8 Subsection 9 of the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party 2017 (As Amended).
The exco also alleged that most of Ayu’s allies worked for the opposition APC during both February 25 and March 18, 2023 elections.
“In view of the foregoing, we hereby pass a vote of no confidence on Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and suspended him as a member of our party with immediate effect.
“The suspension takes effect from 24th of March ,2023”, read the resolution of the executive read by the Secretary of the Igyorov Council Ward, Mr. Banger Dooyum.
The Daily Times gathered that the move by the Ward executive might not be unconnected with the fate of the Benue State governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, whom the National Working Committee, NWC, is recommending before the national disciplinary committee of the party.
It will be recalled that the NWC also pronounced former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose , former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema among others, from the party.
It will also be recalled that shortly after these pronouncement by the PDP NWC, leader of the aggrieved G5 Governors and governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike dared the national leadership of the party that Ortom will not appear before the Committee while the suspension of Fayose and others was 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.”
He added: “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 concerned.”
Governor Wike stated emphatically that the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom will not appear before the PDP National Disciplinary Committee.
According to him, “Governor Ortom, who has stood firm for the unity of this country, governor Ortom who has come out openly to say that Nigeria must be one is not the type you will say you’ll refer to that your kangaroo committee.”
The Rivers State governor said if anyone deserves to be suspended from the party, that person is Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who he accused of contravening the PDP constitution on the zoning of elective and appointive offices.
He added, “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.
Efforts to get reaction of the party proved abortive as the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba failed to react. Also Mr. Simon Imobo – Tswam, media aide to Dr. Ayu, failed to react after assurances of getting Ayu’s reaction to the suspension saga across to the media.
