The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faced a fresh crisis on Sunday when the Benue State chapter’s ward executive suspended the party’s National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu. The suspension came only days after the party’s National Working Committee referred Governor Samuel Ortom to the disciplinary committee for alleged anti‑party activities.
The announcement was made by Mr. Vangeryina Dooyum, the state secretary for the Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area, during a media briefing. Speaking on behalf of ward chairman Kashi Philip, Dooyum read a statement signed by 12 of the 17 ward executive members, stating that Ayu was suspended for anti‑party conduct. The ward leadership said the decision followed a review of Ayu’s behavior after the recent general elections.
According to the statement, the ward executives observed with “utmost dismay” that Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the PDP National Chairman, acted against the party’s success in Igyorov Council Ward. They noted that he had failed to pay his annual subscription fees as required by Section 8(9) of the PDP 2017 Constitution (as amended). Further investigation revealed that Ayu did not vote in the governorship and state assembly elections held on 18 March 2023, and that many of his close allies were aligned with the opposition All Progressive Congress, contributing to the PDP’s poor performance in the ward. Consequently, the ward passed a vote of no confidence and suspended Ayu effective 24 March 2023.
The state‑level PDP leadership expressed surprise at the ward’s decision. State Publicity Secretary Bemgba Iortyom told reporters that the state executive might convene on Monday to discuss the matter, adding that he could not comment further until full details were available. He emphasized that the action did not originate from the state leadership.
Attempts to obtain a response from Ayu were unsuccessful; his Special Adviser on Communications, Simon Imobo‑Tswam, did not answer calls or reply to a text message. However, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the party had seen reports of the alleged suspension on Sunday evening but was not yet in a position to issue a formal reaction. He indicated that the party would verify the facts and respond appropriately, expecting a clearer picture by Monday.
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