The Iliya Damagum-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday reversed the suspension slapped on the former senate president, Mr. Anyim Pius Anyim, former governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayo Fayose and his former Katsina State counterpart, Mr. Ibrahim Shema as well as reversed the referral of the governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom to the national disciplinary committee.
Spokesman for the party, Mr. Debo Ologunagba disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.
He also said Prof Dennis Ityavyar and Dr Aslam Aliyu (PDP Benue and Zamfara states respectively) were also ‘pardoned.’
He said the decision was taken after the party’s national working committee extensively deliberated on the recent developments in the PDP party.
“The National Working Committee, NWC, of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at its meeting today (yesterday) March 30, 2023, extensively discussed recent developments in the party.
“The NWC recognised the imperativeness of a total reconciliation among party leaders and critical stakeholders for a more cohesive party in the overall interest of our teeming members and Nigerians in general.
“Consequent upon the above, the NWC reverses the referral of the governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the national disciplinary committee.
“The NWC in the same vein reverses the suspension of the following under-listed members of our great party: Ibrahim Shema (Katsina State); Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State); Sen. Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State); Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State); and Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State)
“This decision is without prejudice to the powers of the NWC to take necessary disciplinary action against any member of the Party at any time pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party across the country to be guided by the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) as well as the new spirit and necessity of reconciliation, unity and harmony in our Party at this critical time.
“The PDP must remain focused as we continue to take every necessary action to recover the stolen mandate freely given by Nigerians to our Party and Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal,” Ologunagba said in the statement.
Recall that the NWC had recently suspended Anyim Fayose, Shema, Ityavyar, and Aliyu over alleged anti-party activities.
Also recall that prior to the February 25 presidential election, Fayose, Ortom, Anyim and others campaigned for presidential candidates other than the PDP standard bearer, Mr. Atiku Abubakar.
They based their action on the quest for a southern president to emerge after President Muhammadu Buhari who serves out his two terms of eight years on May 29, 2023.
While Anyim and Fayose backed the president-elect, Mr. Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ortom publicly endorsed Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).
Their suspension was lifted few days after the former national chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, was removed and Damagum was appointed in acting capacity on Tuesday, March 28.
He convened his inaugural meeting yesterday where the decision to undo some of the decisions of his predecessor was taken.
