- Benue chapter suspends ward exco over Ayu’s ordeal
- Party quashes suspension of Shema, Fayose, Anyim
- Reverses referral of Ortom to disciplinary committee
BY TIMOTHY AGBOR
The crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party festered on Thursday as the Benue State Working Committee of the party suspended the Kashi Philip-led Igyorov ward exco in the Gboko Local Government Area of the state over the crisis that led to the suspension of the party’s former National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
The acting Chairman of the PDP in Benue, Isaac Mffo, at a press briefing in Makurdi on Thursday, said the Igyorov ward executive was suspended for one month to allow for peace to be restored.
He also said the state working committee would henceforth take charge of the political affairs of the party in Igyorov ward where Ayu hails from.
On Tuesday, the national body of the PDP appointed Umar Damagum as the acting National Chairman of the party to replace Ayu.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at an emergency meeting today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, acknowledges the Order of the Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023, with regard to the Chairmanship position of our great Party.
“After careful consideration of the Court Order and in line with Section 45 (2) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), the NWC resolved that the Deputy National Chairman (North) His Excellency, Amb. Umar Ililya Damagum assumes the National Chairmanship of our Party in an acting capacity with effect from today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023,” the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, had said in a statement on Tuesday.
Ayu was initially suspended by his ward in Benue State for anti-party activities. The court thereafter restrained him from parading himself as the chairman of the party pending the determination of the substantive suit which has been adjourned to April 17, 2023, for hearing.
In another development, the PDP National Working Committee has rescinded the suspension of Ayo Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti State.
The party also lifted the suspension of Ibrahim Shema, a former governor of Katsina State; Anyim Pius Anyim, former secretary of the government of the federation; Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State), and Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State).
The PDP NWC also reversed the referral of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State to the party’s national disciplinary committee.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Ologunagba said the decision was taken after the NWC “extensively discussed recent developments” in the party.
“The NWC recognised the imperativeness of a total reconciliation among party leaders and critical stakeholders for a more cohesive party in the overall interest of our teeming members and Nigerians in general.
“This decision is without prejudice to the powers of the NWC to take necessary disciplinary action against any member of the party at any time pursuant to the provisions of the constitution of the PDP,” Ologunagba stated.
The PDP asked all members and leaders to be guided by the party’s constitution and the “new spirit and necessity of reconciliation, unity and harmony in our party at this critical time”.
Last week, the PDP NWC suspended Shema, Anyim, Ityavyar, and Aliyu over alleged anti-party activities.
However, the members protested their suspension, saying they were not given a fair hearing.
In the meantime, the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, on Thursday, sacked all political appointees in the state with immediate effect.
Those affected include Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants, Special Advisers and Technical Officers.
The governor further directed the State Accountant General to ensure immediate payment of March, 2023 stipends to all the appointees.
The Governor thanked them for their contributions and services to the state and wished them well in their future endeavours.
