*Ayu suspended by his Igyorov ward
*Accused of engaging in anti-party activities
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), took a turn for the worse on sunday as the National Chairman of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, received marching orders from his Igyorov ward in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, which suspended him.
The embattled PDP boss was accused of anti-party activities.
The suspension came few days after the National Working Committee (NWC), of the PDP dragged the Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom, before a National Disciplinary Committee of the party and also suspended the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose; erstwhile Senate President, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, among others.
Ayu’s suspension on Sunday followed a vote of no confidence passed on him at his ward.
A resolution passed at the end of the meeting and read by the Secretary of Igyorov Ward, Mr. Banger Dooyum, reads: “The Peoples Democratic Party Executive Committee of Igyorov council ward of Gboko Local Government Area area in Benue state, has passed a vote of no confidence on the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and suspended him from the party”.
Mr Dooyum, while reading the resolution affirmed by the ward executives, said Ayu “was involved in anti- party activities making the PDP to lose at his ward and Local Government along with his allies, who also didn’t vote at the Governorship Election”.
He was also accused of not paying his annual dues as enshrined by the party’s constitution.
It will be recalled that shortly after the Benue State Governor was referred to the National Disciplinary Committee over alleged anti-party activities by the National Working Committee (NWC), of PDP chaired by Ayu, the Rivers State governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike, dared the national leadership of the PDP, declaring that his Benue State counterpart will not appear before any committee.
Wike equally described the suspension of Fayose and others as a nullity.
Wike, in the statement, said, “I want to state clearly and let members of the party and Nigerians hear it clearly, the NWC made up of Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who they say is the Chairman of the party; Sam Anyanwu, the National Secretary and other members of NWC, cannot suspend Ayo Fayose, not to talk about referring Governor Ortom to a National Disciplinary Committee.”
Wike stated that the decision of the NWC to refer Governor Ortom to the party’s Committee is the height of all insult.
He said, “referring a governor to your so called National Disciplinary Committee committee is the height of all insult, and we will not take it.
“Therefore, be ready for whatever you see as far as this our party is concerned.”
Wike in saying that Ortom, will not appear before the committee, insisted thst “Ortom stood firm for the unity of this country; Governor Ortom who has come out openly to say that Nigeria must be one is not the type you will say you’ll refer to that your kangaroo committee.”
The Rivers State Governor said if anyone deserves to be suspended from the party, that person is Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, who he accused of contravening the PDP constitution on the zoning of elective and appointive offices.
He said: “If there is any person deserving suspension, it should be you (Ayu), who played anti-party by refusing to obey the constitution of the party on zoning of political offices as is required.
“If you are talking of anti-party, it is you who could not even deliver your unit, deliver your ward that is involved.
“Because of the fraudulent activities you are involved in, people have lost hope in you. That is why you cannot win your unit, win your ward”, he stated.
Governor Wike cautioned Ayu and the NWC to desist from threatening the G-5 governors and members of the Integrity Group with suspension.
According to him, Ayu has, by his recent action, opened a new chapter of political war in the party.
“You cannot cage any of us. Ortom will not appear before any of your so-called Disciplinary Committee committee. Ayodele Fayose will also never appear before any Disciplinary Committee ”, he said.
