Olusegun Olanrewaju

 The battle between the G5 governors and the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has entered a critical stage following yesterday’s suspension of its National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.

The Executive Committee of the PDP in Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State has suspended the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, with immediate effect.

They suspended Ayu for anti-party activities after passing a vote of no confidence in him.

While reading a resolution, the secretary of the party in Igyorov ward, Banger Dooyum, said Ayu’s anti-party activities, alongside his allies, contributed to PDP’s loss in his ward and local government in the governorship election.

Ayu is also accused of not paying his annual dues as enshrined by the party’s constitution.

Twelve out of the 17 executive members signed the documents endorsing his suspension.

Anti-party activities: Benue PDP suspends Iyorchia Ayu

They also alleged that the PDP chieftain did not vote during the governorship and state assembly elections held on the 18th of March, 2023.

According to them, most of Ayu’s closest allies worked for the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) which resulted in the abysmal performance of the PDP in Igyorov Ward.

The ward chairman of Igyorov, Kashi Philip, also signed the letter alongside the exco.

Meanwhile, former Senate President, Anyim, has described the suspension of some leaders including himself, by the PDP National Working Committee as “an act of cowardice on soft targets while afraid of those that daily demonise them”.

Ayu’s suspension follows last week’s suspension of some party chieftains, including former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; as well as a former Senate President/Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim.

Other party officials suspended include; Prof Dennis Ityavyar and Dr Aslam Aliyu.

The party also referred Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, to its disciplinary committee for alleged anti-party activities.

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike had last week described the suspension of Fayose and others for anti-party activities by the NWC of the PDP as a nullity.

He also explained that the decision of the NWC to refer governor Ortom to the party’s National Disciplinary Committee is the height of all insults.

Fayose had also described his suspension from the PDP by the Ayu-led NWC as “the last kick of a dead horse”.

“Ayu and his cohorts are only entertaining themselves with the purported suspension as their latest comedy skit,” he said.

According to him, in a matter of days, the “inglorious” tenure of Ayu as the PDP national chairman will become history and the party will enjoy a new lease on life.

*No official reaction for now– Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary

However, there had been no official reaction from the party to the suspension.

As of 9.30pm, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Debo Ologunagba, told ThisNigeria that any reaction to the development will be made public.