Ayu heads for court as PDP appoints acting chair
After a Benue State High Court in Makurdi upheld his suspension of Senator Iyorchia Ayu On Monday, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, resigned from his position on Tuesday and is intending to fight his suspension in court.
This was disclosed by Ayu’s Special Assistant on Communication, Simon Imobo-tswam, to our correspondent shortly after the party announced the appointment of Umar Damagum Ayu as the acting national chairman.
Read Also:Â Breaking: PDP chairman, Iyorchia Ayu steps aside, party names replacement
He stated that Ayu would contest the suspension in court.
Sunday, the Igorov ward executive committee in the Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State suspended Ayu for alleged anti-party activities and nonpayment of membership fees.
In response to a lawsuit filed by Conrad Utaan, a former aide to the state’s governor, the Benue State court prohibited Ayu from representing himself as the party’s chairman after he was suspended.
The first and second respondents were listed as Ayu and the PDP, respectively.
The hearing has been postponed until April 17th.
In response to a question from The Ejes Gist News Nigeria, his Special Assistant on Communication confirmed that his boss intended to challenge the court order legally.
Imobo-tswam simply responded “yes” when asked if his embattled boss would challenge the court order prohibiting him from acting as the national chairman of the PDP. He did not entertain any further questions.
He added, however, that the PDP “has said everything about the issue. Therefore, there is no need to elaborate.”
Also Read:Â Osun Gov Adeleke makes strong Vows after winning at Appeal Court
In a brief interview with journalists in Abuja, Damagum explained that he was temporarily assuming the party leadership “to fulfil all righteousness.”
He stated, “We are here to carry out all justice. We are law-abiding and have a court order restraining our national chairman. I will be with you in an acting capacity while the court makes its decision.
“I would like to take this opportunity to ask you for the cooperation we all used to have with you. I will have a meeting with the NWC (National Working Committee) immediately following this session to discuss the current state of the party.
On Tuesday, PDP members from Ayu’s Igyorev ward demonstrated at the party headquarters in support of him.
They voiced their support for the suspended chairman and subsequently passed a vote of confidence in him.
A ward executive member, Stephen Shimahile, addressed the media and stated, “We categorically disclaim and disassociate ourselves from the purported letter of vote of no confidence and suspension of Senator Iyorchial Ayu as a member of PDP in Igyorov Council Ward of the Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State dated the 24th day of March 2023.”
“The executive committee members have never discussed the conduct of the national chairman in accordance with chapter 10 section 57 of the party’s Constitution 2017 as amended in any of our meetings prior to or after the 2023 general election.
“The executive committee members have stated unequivocally that they have no knowledge of the letter and have not authorised anyone to create such a malicious letter on their behalf.”
Thanks for using our platform to learn about the latest Naija News on Ayu heads for court as PDP appoints acting chair
