Victor Ezeja
Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, has stepped down from his position.
Ayu has been replaced by Amb. Umar Ililya Damagum, vice chairman, north, in acting capacity.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelDagagum’s appointment takes effect toady, Tuesday, 28th March 2023.
This was revealed in a statement on Tuesday by the PDP national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba.
The statement reads: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at an emergency meeting today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, acknowledged the Order of the Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023 with regards 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 NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members, and supporters of our great Party to remain calm and united at this critical time.”
The embattled Ayu was suspended by his ward executives in Igyorov council ward of Gboko Local Government of Benue State.
They accused him of working against the party during the last general elections and that he had failed to pay his annual subscription feed as provided in Section 8, subsection 9 of the PDP Constitution, 2017, as amended.
In response, Ayu claimed that it is was only the PDP National Executive Council that has the right to suspend him.
However, the State High Court sitting in Makurdi the Benue State capital on Monday, issued an order restraining Ayu from parading himself as the national chairman of the party.
The court gave the order while ruling on an exparte motion filed by Conrad Terhinde Utaan, with Ayu and the PDP as respondents.
Justice W. I Kpochi, who made the ruling said it is: “An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st defendant, Senator Dr Iyorchia Ayu from parading himself as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) having lost membership of the party, pending the hearing and determination of Motion on Notice, already filed.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
