A High Court in Makurdi, Benue State, has issued an interim injunction preventing Dr. Iyorchia Ayu from presenting himself as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The order was handed down on Monday by Justice W.I. Kpochi in suit No. MHC/85/2023, filed by Terhide Utaan against Ayu and the PDP. The case has been adjourned until 17 April for further hearing.
The application was supported by a 15‑paragraph affidavit accompanied by three exhibits: the applicant’s membership card, receipts for payment of dues, and a vote of no confidence passed by the Igyorov Council Ward of the second defendant in Gboko Local Government, Benue State. Justice Kpochi stated, “Upon hearing Mr. M. T. Assoh of Learned Counsel move the application and after a dispassionate consideration of the facts placed before me in the affidavit evidence, and upon consideration of the issues distilled in the written address by Mr. Assoh, it is my candid view that this is a proper case to grant the interim injunction as craved. Consequently, this application is hereby granted in terms of the reliefs captured in the motion papers as reproduced herein. It is so ordered.”
Reports indicate that Ayu’s suspension was announced on Sunday by the ward executives of the party at Igyorov Ward, Gboko Local Government Area, through ward secretary Vangeryina Dooyum on behalf of ward chairman Kashi Philip, citing alleged anti‑party activities. Ayu, however, contended that the PDP constitution expressly prohibits any party organ or executive committee at the ward, state, or national level from disciplining a member of the National Executive Committee. He described the purported suspension announcement as “mischief, drama and propaganda,” labeling it a futile exercise born of “gross ignorance and desperation.”
Comments are closed for this story.