*PDP Ward in Gboko Local Govt. Area suspends party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu
*Accuses him of violating Section 8(9) of party’s Constitution on anti-party activities
*That Ayu’s actions led to PDP’s loss in his Ward, LGA, states in 2023 general elections
*Alleges that Ayu, his close allies worked for opposition All Progressives Congress, APC
By Okechukwu Jombo
Citing relevant sections of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) constitution, as amended, the Executive Committee of Igyorov council Ward in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue state yesterday suspended the national chairman of the main opposition party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu for anti-party activities.
The suspension letter dated March 24, 2023 and signed by all the Exco members of the Ward, cited Section 8 subsection 9 of the extant PDP Constitution that deals with anti-party activities for passing a no-confidence vote on Dr. Ayu.
Specifically, the secretary of the Igyorov Ward who read the letter of suspension, Mr. Banger Dooyum, said Ayu’s anti-party activities contributed immensely to PDP’s loss in his ward, Local Government and the state in all the elections of February 25 and March 18, this year.
Their letter which was addressed to the State Chairman of the PDP was titled; ‘Vote of no confidence and suspension Of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as member People’s Democratic Party(PDP) Igyorov council ward of GbokoLocal Government Area, Benue state, also accused Ayu of not ‘paying his annual dues as enshrined in the party’s constitution’.
More specifically, they accused Ayu of not voting during the governorship and state assembly elections held on March 18, 2023.
Furthermore, they alleged that most of Ayu’s close allies worked for the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC), which they said resulted in 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 statement read.
Out of the 17-member Ward Exco, 15 signed the suspension letter. The signees includes; Kashi Philip, Chairman; Ortese Helen, Vice chairman, Vangeryina Dooyum; Secretary General and Sarwuan Terlumun, Treasurer, among others.
The suspension letter was copied the following bodies; State Elders Committee, PDP Zonal Working Committee, Pdp Zonal Executive Committee, PDP Zonal Legal Adviser, PDP National Working Committee, PDP National Caucus, PDP Board of Trustees, PDP Governors Forum and Executive Governor of Benue state.
As at the time of going to press, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba could not be reached for reaction. Text messages sent to his phone were not responded to either.
It will be recalled that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party only last week suspended some big wigs in the party that included former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, former governors Ayodele Fayose and Ibrahim Shema for anti-party activities.
However, the party had been in turmoil following the national chairman’s reneging on his earlier promise to step down if a northerner emerges as the party’s flag bearer in the just concluded presidential election.
This development led to the formation of the G-5 governors led by Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike. Other members of the group are Govs Samuel Ortom, Benue; Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia; Seyi Makinde, Oyo and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu.
