Former PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu
By JACOB KUBEKA, Abuja –
The crisis rocking the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deepened on Tuesday as its embattled National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, finally stepped aside.
A Makurdi High Court had restrained Ayu from parading himself as the national chairman of the party following his reported suspension by his ward in Benue State.
Iliyah Damagum has taken over as the acting Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, following Iyorchia Ayu’s suspension.
When asked about the party members’ reactions to the suspension and how the party planned to move forward, Damagum told Arise Tv, “As a party, we are prone to reconciliation. We will review it, we will have an NWC (National Working Committee) meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and in that meeting we will discuss it, and there will be possible review of whatever is happening.”
An official statement from the party a while ago reads:
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at an emergency meeting today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023 acknowledge the Order of the Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023 with regards to the Chairmanship position of our great Party.
“After a 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 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 statement, which was made available to NATIONAL ACCORD in Abuja, was signed by ” Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary, PDP.”
