THROUGH its National Working Committee (NWC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday reversed the order suspending former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Pius Anyim, former Governors Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Ibrahim Shema (Katsina).
Others, including Prof. Dennis Ityavyar from Benue State and Dr. Aslam Aliyu from Zamfara State, who were suspended last week, were also recalled.
Besides, the party also announced the withdrawal of referral of Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom to its disciplinary committee.
The reversals came exactly a week after the Dr. Iyorchia Ayu-led NWC took disciplinary actions against the PDP chieftains for alleged anti-party activities.
In what observers call a backlash on March 26, Ayu’s Igyorov Ward in Gboko Local Government Area, announced Ayu’s suspension after the local chapter Executive Council (EXCO) passed a no confidence vote in him.
But the Benue PDP State Working Committee (SWC) yesterday suspended the Igyorov Ward EXCO as it initiated moves to restore peace in the party in the area.
The development was followed by an Order of a Benue High Court on Monday, affirming his suspension and restraining him from parading himself as PDP National Chairman in the interim.In deference to the Order of the Benue High Court, Ayu stepped aside on Tuesday and the PDP Deputy National Chairman (North), Umar Damagum, was appointed to act in his absence.In deference to the Order of the Benue High Court, Ayu stepped aside on Tuesday and the PDP Deputy National Chairman (North), Umar Damagum, was appointed to act in his absence.
The reversal of the actions against the party elders was conveyed in a statement signed yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.
The statement, which was issued shortly after a meeting on Thursday of the NWC, chaired by Damagum, reads: The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its meeting today, Thursday, March 30, 2023 extensively discussed recent developments in the party.
“The NWC recognised the imperativeness of a total reconciliation among party leaders and critical stakeholders for a more cohesive party in the overall interest of our teeming members and Nigerians in general.
“Consequent upon the above, the NWC reverses the referral of the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee.
“The NWC in the same vein reverses the suspension of the following under listed members of our great party: H.E Ibrahim Shema (Katsina State); Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State); Sen. Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State); Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State) and Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State.
“This decision is without prejudice to the powers of the NWC to take necessary disciplinary action against any member of the party at any time pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our party across the country to be guided by the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) as well as the new spirit and necessity of reconciliation, unity and harmony in our party at this critical time.
“The PDP must remain focused as we continue to take every necessary action to recover the stolen mandate freely given by Nigerians to our party and presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday February 25, 2023, at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.”
The NWC was however silent on the fate of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, who was expelled from the party under Ayu’s chairmanship.
On February 10, the party announced the Enugu East senator’s expulsion for alleged anti party activities.
Nnamani, who re-contested the Enugu East senatorial seat in the February 25 election on the platform of the PDP, lost to his Labour Party (LP) challenger Kelvin Chukwu.
At its Extra Ordinary Meeting to resolve the lingering crisis in Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, the SWC deliberated on and reviewed the recent activities that pose threats of violence and break down of law and order.
In pursuant to the powers conferred on it by Section 59 (4) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (POP) As Amended in 2017, the SWC resolved as follows:
• That the Executive Committee of the PDP in Igyorov Council Ward is hereby suspended for a period of one month.
The suspension was taken to restore sanity, harmony, law and order in the party at the Igyorov Ward level, the resolution said.
The order measures taken by the SWC include:
• That the State Working Committee shall during this period administer the affairs of the Party in Igyorov Council Ward in the best interest of the party, discipline, growth and success.
• That the Executive Committee of the PDP in Igyorov Council Ward shall hand over all documents or other items in their possession belonging to the Party to the State Executive Committee of the party with immediate effect.
• The Ward Executive Committee, Igyorov Council Ward, Gboko Local Government area, Benue State shall henceforth cease to act in the offices, which they held prior to their suspension.
The resolution was signed by 13 state officers, including Isaac Mffo (Acting Chairman); Chief Joseph Nyam (Secretary); Azua Ashongo (Vice Chairman, Zone A); James Mbakorlumun (Vice Chairman, Zone B) and Godwin Uwulo (Vice Chairman, Zone C).
THE NATION
