The National Working Committee, of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Tuesday, confirmed the substitution of the suspended head of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, with the National Vice-Chairman (North), Umar Damagum, as the interim chairman of the PDP.
Announcing the appointment at an emergency meeting on Tuesday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, at a news conference stated that the decision was owing to the High Court Order in Benue State of March 27, 2023, prohibiting Ayu from presenting himself as the party’s chairman.
It was reported how a High Court in Makurdi, Benue State, ordered an interim injunction prohibiting Ayu from displaying himself as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday.
Ayu’s suspension occurred last Thursday for suspected anti-party conduct after several other chieftains in the party had also been dismissed
The gale of suspension was slapped on the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; former president of the Senate, Pius Anyim; Prof Dennis Ityavyar, Aslam Aliyu, former Katsina State governor, Shehu Schema, among others.
Ologunagba while addressing the press conference remarked, “The sitting judge, Judge W.I. Kpochi, granted the interim order on Monday in the action No. MHC/85/2023 was brought before the court by Terhide Utaan with Ayu and the PDP as defendants. On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, we recognize the ruling of the Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023, concerning the chairperson position of our great
“After 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 the Deputy National Chairman (North) His Excellency, Amb. Umar Ililya Damagum assumes the National Chairmanship of our party in acting capacity with effect from today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023.”
The PDP spokesman also stated that the NWC also asked all leaders, crucial stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of the party to be calm and unified at this critical moment.
The National Vice-Chairman, North, who following the announcement by the NWC became the acting national chairman of the party remarked, “We are here to fulfil all righteousness, we have a court order restricting the chairman, our national chairman and we are law-abiding
“I shall be here with you in an acting capacity until the judgment of the court, I want to utilize this occasion to hire you to offer me the cooperation as all used to have with you.
“I will have a meeting immediately after this session with the NWC to examine what is occurring at the party,” he stated.
Some members of the NWC, who were in attendance, were the National Youth Leader, Muhammed Suleiman, National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade SAN, National Treasurer, Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyegikuro, and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
