The suspended National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, faces an uphill battle to regain his position. Prominent party members from both the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) have openly opposed his reinstatement, blaming him for the PDP’s failure to win the 2023 presidential election. After Ayu stepped aside on Tuesday in compliance with an ex parte injunction issued by Justice Wilfred Kpochi of the Makurdi High Court— which barred him from presenting himself as party chairman—Deputy National Chairman (North) Umar Damagum assumed the role of acting national chairman. This arrangement will remain in place until the leadership crisis is resolved or a substantive chairman is elected.
The NWC, citing Section 45(2) of the PDP Constitution (amended 2017), formally announced Damagum’s acting appointment on March 28, 2023, through a statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba. Prior to the court order, Ayu’s NWC had suspended several senior party figures, including former SGF Pius Anyim, former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose, and ex‑Katsina Governor Ibrahim Shema, and referred Benue Governor Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee for alleged anti‑party activities. Those suspended condemned the actions, and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike—who had led a campaign against Ayu before the election—mocked Ayu’s authority to suspend party chieftains, questioning why he would punish members for not delivering electoral victories in Benue.
Within 24 hours of Ayu’s departure, Damagum reversed the suspensions of Anyim, Shema, Fayose and others, emphasizing the need for total reconciliation among party leaders and stakeholders. Observers suggested that the reversal reflected Ayu’s waning support within the NWC, with speculation that many members did not want him to return as chairman. Damagum declined to comment on internal divisions but acknowledged that some members were displeased with the reinstatements, insisting the decision served the party’s best interests.
NWC member Setoji Koshoedo, the party’s Deputy National Secretary, criticized Ayu’s post‑election conduct, arguing that the PDP should have adopted a sober, conciliatory approach rather than a “warpath.” He praised Damagum’s efforts to restore peace. Another confidential NWC source warned that Ayu’s return would not sit well with the majority, citing his handling of the G5 crisis and suggesting that private appeals for his resignation were made to bring Governor Wike’s faction back into the campaign council. The source expressed confidence that Damagum enjoys the support of most NWC members.
National Executive Committee member and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary Diran Odeyemi blamed Ayu’s “stubbornness” for the party’s crisis, noting that Ayu persisted despite offering little in votes and ignored warnings from aggrieved governors. Odeyemi argued that both Ayu and presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar share responsibility for the loss, and that Ayu’s obstinacy is his greatest flaw.
Ayu’s loyalist and Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor described Damagum as a “placeholder” but commended his stabilising actions. In a telephone interview, Osadolor clarified that the decision to suspend Anyim, Fayose, Shema and others was collective, not unilateral, and that lifting the suspensions was beneficial for the party. He affirmed continued support for Damagum until a new chairman is elected, emphasizing that Damagum is merely a temporary steward.
In Rivers State, former House of Representatives member Chief Ogbonna Nwuke warned that any attempt to reinstall Ayu would signal the party’s demise. As a former Director of Publicity and Communications for the Rivers PDP Campaign Council and an ally of Governor Wike, Nwuke blamed Ayu for the “colossal defeat” in the February 25 presidential election, calling his leadership ineffective and detrimental. He asserted that the G5 governors and mainstream party members would block Ayu’s return, and that the party needs a strong, passionate leader.
Rivers State Publicity Secretary Sydney Gbara echoed this sentiment, stating that the election outcomes proved Ayu was unsuitable for the chairmanship. Gbara praised Damagum’s bold reversal of suspensions and cautioned that those working behind the scenes to restore Ayu’s power do not have the party’s or the nation’s best interests at heart.
NEC member Sam Ohuabunwa described Ayu’s suspension as a proper, lawful step following his ward’s action and subsequent court ruling. He emphasized that no one is above the law and that every action invites a reaction. Fellow NEC member Babandi Gumel added that the suspension is a court order, and the party must simply await the legal outcome.
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