Olusegun Olanrewaju

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday said his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom, will not appear before the National Disciplinary Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over his alleged involvement in anti-party activities.

The PDP had yesterday referred Ortom to its Disciplinary Committee for alleged anti-party activities.

It also suspended the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, and a former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party went further to suspend Prof Dennis Ityavyar of the Benue State chapter of PDP, and Dr Aslam Aliyu from Zamfara State.

The statement read, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has after a very extensive review of the affairs of our Party in the country and according to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) referred the Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.

Guilty as charged’

“The NWC also approved the suspension of the following from the party with effect from today, yesterday, March 23, 2023. Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State); Senator Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State); Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State); Dr Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State).

“The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders, and teeming members of our Party across the country to remain united and focused at this critical time.”

*Benue gov won’t appear before any committee- Wike

Reacting swiftly to the suspension, Wike described the suspension of former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose and others for anti-party activities by the NWC of the PDP as a nullity.

The governor stated these in Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday while reacting to NWC’s decision to refer Ortom to the party’s disciplinary committee and suspension of Fayose and others.

He said, “I want to state clearly and let members of the party and Nigerians hear it clearly, the National Working Committee 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 the national disciplinary committee.”

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

“Referring a governor to your so-called national disciplinary committee is the height of all insult, and we will not take it. Therefore, be ready for whatever you see as far as this party is concerned.”

Wike stated emphatically that the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom will not appear before the PDP National Disciplinary Committee.

“Governor Ortom, who has 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 Ayu, who he accused of contravening the PDP constitution on the zoning of elective and appointive offices.

“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 the zoning of political offices as is required. So, whoever tells you can suspend people, please tell the person that he is not serious,” he stressed.

Wike added, “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 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 up 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 committees. Ayodele Fayose will also never appear before any disciplinary committee.”

*Suspension will not stand, says ex-Ekiti gov

Also, the former Ekiti State governor described his suspension from the PDP by the Ayu-led NWC as “the last kick of a dead horse”.

Speaking through his spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, the ex-governor said, “Ayu and his cohorts are only entertaining themselves with the purported suspension as their latest comedy skit.”

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.

Fayose argued that he and others who stood by the party when Ayu and his cohorts “left it to die” would rescue it and give life back in due course. “The purported suspension will have no leg to stand,” he added.

The former Ekiti State governor had repeatedly blamed the PDP leadership for the party’s loss in the presidential election, saying the party was never prepared for the exercise.

He also did not campaign for the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar on the basis that power should return to the South after the North had ruled for eight years.

“You cannot cage any of us. Ortom will not appear before any of your so-called disciplinary committees. Ayodele Fayose will also never appear before any disciplinary committee,” he added.