We Are Not Aware – State Chapter
By Halimah Olamide
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party is sinking deeper into crisis as the National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu was on Sunday suspended by his ward in Benue State.
The ward accused Ayu of anti-party activities just as it said it was sure the National Chairman worked for the All Progressive Congress in the just concluded elections.
Secretary of the party’ at Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area, Mr. Vangeryina Dooyum, announced Ayu’s suspension at a media briefing on Sunday.
He spoke on behalf of the ward chairman, Kashi Philip, confirming that Ayu was suspended for anti-party activities.
Twelve out of the 17 members of the ward executive had signed the document explaining that the decision to suspend the national chairman was reached after the ward leadership reviewed Ayu’s conduct at the end of the just-concluded general elections.
The secretary in company with the ward chairman and other members, said, “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, and hence, the abysmal performance of the PDP in Igyorov Ward.
In view of the foregoing, we hereby pass a vote of no confidence in Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and suspend him as a member of our party with immediate effect. The suspension takes effect from March 24, 2023.”
However, in what seems a face saving gesture for Ayu, the state chapter of the party, countered the ward move saying it has not emanated from the state level.
The state Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom, said a meeting of the stakeholders would be convened today (Monday) to see the merit or demerit of the ward’s action against Ayu.
The PDP failed in its bid to unseat the APC in the just concluded general elections . While the APC won a total of 15 states, the PDP won 9. The APC also won majority of the National Assembly seats while its presidential candidate Bola Tinubu defeated that of the PDP Atiku Abubakar.