The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), National Working Committee (NWC) on Tuesday has replaced the suspended Iyorchia Ayu with the party’s Deputy National Chairman North, Umar Ilia Damagum.
PDP national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who disclosed this on Tuesday March 28, 2023 in Abuja.
He said Damagum has been appointed in an acting capacity by the NWC.
Ayu stepped down on Tuesday afternoon as national chairman following a court order that barred him from parading himself as the party’s national chairman.
Recall that a high court in Benue state on Monday had granted an interim order restraining Iyorchia Ayu from parading himself as the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
W.I Kpochi, the presiding judge, gave the order on Monday, while ruling on a motion ex parte marked MHC/633/2023, and filed by Conrad Terhide Utaan.
The judge in its ruling said: “An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st defendant Senator Dr. lyorchia Ayu from parading himself as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) having lost membership of the party, pending the hearing and determination of Motion on Notice already filed.”
Following the order, the case was adjourned till 17th of April, 2023 by the judge for further hearing.
The Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State had announced the immediate suspension of the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu.
The ward Exco suspended Ayu for anti-party activities after passing vote of no confidence on him.
Ayu is also accused of not paying his annual dues as enshrined by the party’s constitution. Twelve out of the seventeen Exco members signed the documents to endorse his suspension.
The Exco also alleged that the PDP National Chairman did not vote during the
governorship and state assembly elections held on 18th of March, 2023.
According to them, most of Ayu’s closest allies worked for the opposition party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) which resulted in the abysmal performance of the PDP in Igyorov Ward.
