Updated: Ayu steps aside amidst internal wrangling in PDP

Israel Arogbonlo

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Iyorchia Ayu has been replaced by the Deputy National Chairman, (North) Umar Iliya Damagum following a recent Court Order from the Benue State High Court.

Damagum will assume office as the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, pending the determination of the case in court.

TRIBUNE ONLINE earlier reported a High Court in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, had restrained embattled Ayu from parading himself as chairman of the party pending the determination of the substantive suit which has been adjourned to April 17, 2023 for hearing.

In a tweet on Tuesday, PDP said Ayu has stepped aside as its national chairman pending the outcome of the hearing.

https://t.co/XOrqW17w5p In-line with the recent Court Order from the Benue State High Court, restraining the National Chairman, @iyorchiayu, from parading himself as Chairman of the party, the Deputy National Chairman, North, Amb Iliya Umar Damagum has assumed office as the…

— Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) March 28, 2023

Also, the Party National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba confirmed the development at a new conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

His words;

“After a careful consideration of the Court Order and in line with Section 45 (2) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), the NWC resolved that Damagum assumes the national chairmanship of our party in acting capacity with effect from today, Tuesday, March 28.

“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of our great party to remain calm and united at this critical time”.

Damagum, in his remarks said that he would be in acting capacity pending the determination of the court on the matter before it.

“I will have a meeting immediately after this session with the NWC to check on what is happening within the party,” Damagum said.

Asked what Ayu came to do in the office earlier in the morning hours, Damagum said Ayu was not in the office to chair any meeting but might have come to pick his belongings.

Also asked of his agenda especially on the gale of suspension of some members of the party, Damagum said the NWC would meet on Wednesday, possibly to  review it.

“What you are asking me is already on my mind, the NWC is meeting on Wednesday, in that meeting we will discuss and possibly review it,” Damagum said.

Other members of NWC at the briefing were the  National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu;  National Youth Leader, Mohammed Suleiman;  National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; National Legal Adviser Kamarudeen Ajibade; and National Treasurer, Ahmed Mohammed.

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