Crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), took further turn for the unpredictable when the party on Tuesday hurriedly replaced its National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu with the Deputy National Chairman (North) Umar Ililya Damagum, who is to function in acting capacity.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), took further turn for the unpredictable when the party on Tuesday hurriedly replaced its National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu with the Deputy National Chairman (North) Umar Ililya Damagum, who is to function in acting capacity.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at an emergency meeting on Tuesday, Tuesday, March 28, 2023 acknowledge the Order of the Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023 with regards to the Chairmanship position of the Party.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Abuja, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, said 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), Umar Ililya Damagum assumes the National Chairmanship of the Party in acting capacity with effect from Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
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The NWC charged all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters the Party to remain calm and united at this critical time.
Damagun will replace Iyorchia Ayu as the national chairman of the party, following Ayu’s suspension.
Ayu’s suspension was announced by the ward executive of the party at Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State on Sunday by the secretary, Vangeryina Dooyum, on behalf of Kashi Philip, the ward chairman, over alleged anti-party activities.
Reading from a text signed by 12 out of the 17 member Ward Executive, the Secretary stated that the decision to suspend the National Chairman was reached after the leadership reviewed his conduct at the end of the just concluded general elections.
Among the allegations against him were that he failed to pay his Annual Subscription Fees as provided under Section 8 (9) of the constitution of the PDP 2017 (As Amended) and that, he did not vote during the Governorship and State Assembly Elections held on March18, 2023. He was also alleged to have worked for the opposition party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, and hence, the abysmal performance of the PDP in Igyorov Ward
While a defiant Ayu responded quoting the party’s constitution, a High Court in Makurdi, Benue State issued an interim injunction restraining him from parading himself as the National Chairman of the PDP.
The presiding judge, Justice W.I. Kpochi, gave the interim order on Monday in the suit No. MHC/85/2023 filed at the court by Terhide Utaan with Ayu and the PDP as defendants.