The executive of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Igyorov Ward, Gboko local government area of Benue State has announced the suspension of the party’s national chairman,, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.
Addressing journalists yesterday, the ward chairman, Mr. Kashi Philip said the disciplinary action took effect from March 24, 2023.
He explained that the national chairman was punished on grounds of alleged anti-party activities.
Philip who was represented by the ward secretary, Mr. Vangeryina Dooyum, stated that the decision to suspend Ayu was reached after the leadership reviewed his conduct at the end of the just concluded general elections.
“We observed with utmost dismay that, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu who is the National Chairman of the PDP worked against the success of the party in Igyorov council ward.
“It is on record that, he has also failed to pay his Annual Subscription Fees as provided under Section 8 (9) of the constitution of the PDP 2017 (As Amended).
“Further investigation also revealed that, he did not vote during the Governorship and State Assembly Elections held on March 18, 2023.
“It was also discovered that most of his closest allies worked for the opposition party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, and hence, the abysmal performance of the PDP in Igyorov Ward.
“In view of the foregoing, we hereby pass a vote of no confidence on Dr Iyorchia Ayu and suspend him as a member of our party with immediate effect. The suspension takes effect from March 24, 2023,” he said in a prepared speech.
Meanwhile, the governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, said Ayu’s suspension indicates the party members’ anger for its woeful performance in the general elections of February 25 and March 18.
Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Wike said he was in support of the suspension.
He said the electorate rejected the PDP at the polls because Ayu refused to resign from the party’s chairmanship position.
“It is only in this country that someone who has lost woefully during the general elections still wants to occupy the position of chairmanship in PDP.
“As a national chairman of the people, Ayu lost his ward, your local government; not only did he take a distant third, you (Ayu) also lost presidential and governorship elections.
“I am in support of Ayu’s suspension in Benue.
“If he left before the elections, they would have said his leaving was the reason PDP lost the election; thank God he presided over the colossal failure of the party during the general elections.
“We cannot have the party in the hands of persons without any political contribution to the party”, he stated.
Recall that the PDP which is the ruling party in Benue lost the presidential election in the state to the APC.
It also lost two of the three senatorial seats in the state to the APC and 11 of the 12 house of representatives seats to the APC.
The ruling party also lost the March 18 governorship and state legislative elections to the opposition.
Also, recall that last Thursday, March 23, the PDP national working committee suspended the state governor, Dr Samuel Ortom for allegedly engaging in anti-party activities and referred him to the disciplinary committee.
The party also suspended Ortom’s former commissioner for education, Mr. Dennis Ityavyar, a former senate president, Mr. Pius Anyim, and former governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose for allegations bordering of anti-party activities.
