NATIONAL Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Senator lyorchia Ayu has stepped aside as the chairman of the party.
Ayu was replaced by the Deputy National Chairman, (North) Umar Iliya Damagum
Damagum will assume office as the Acting National Chairman of the PDP pending the determination of the case in court. Recall that a High Court in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, had restrained the embattled Ayu from parading himself as chairman of the party pending the determination of the substantive suit which has been adjourned to 17 April 2023, for hearing.
A member of the PDP from Benue, Terhide Utaan, who is the plaintiff before Justice W. I. Kpochi, obtained the order restraining Ayu from parading himself as national chairman of the party.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi after obtaining the court order, the plaintiff said following the suspension of Ayu by his Igyorov Ward executive on Sunday, it was wrong for him to remain in the seat.
Ayu was suspended late last week for anti-party activities in the wake of the party’s loss in the presidential election. But in a Monday statement by his media aide, Simon Imobo-Tswam, the former lawmaker argued that the Ward executive lacked the powers to suspend him.
Ayu’s political rival in the PDP and Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike on Monday, said he is elated that the Benue State Ward executive passed a vote of no confidence in him.
“I am not from Benue State, but I am happy, and now that Benue State has done it, we would now come out and say we are in support of it,” he said.
Before the latest development, there had been intense calls for Ayu to step aside for a Southerner to take over as the Chairman of the party.
Eighteen-Eleven Media