Ayu was allegedly suspended by the PDP's Igyorov Ward Executive Committee in Benue State's Gboko Local Government Area on Sunday for anti-party activities.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chapter at Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State has denied the purported suspension of the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
Ayu was allegedly suspended by the PDP's Igyorov Ward Executive Committee in Benue State's Gboko Local Government Area on Sunday for anti-party activities and non-payment of his membership dues.
Speaking to journalists in Makurdi on behalf of Kashi Philip, the ward chairman, Vangeryina Dooyum, the ward secretary explained that Ayu was suspended by the executive for anti-party activities.
Dooyum who read from a speech signed by 12 out of the 17 member-ward executives, stated that the decision to suspend the national chairman was reached after the leadership reviewed his conduct at the end of the 2023 general elections.
However, in a statement obtained by SaharaReproters on Monday, March 27, 2023, jointly signed by the party's Deputy Ward Chairman, Ortese Helen, and 15 other members of the executive, the party executives claimed that the alleged suspension of Ayu was never a resolution of the party executives.
They denied authorising any individual to make such a decision on their behalf.
The 16 executives also claimed that the statement announcing Ayu's alleged suspension contained a forged signature and reaffirmed their commitment and loyalty to Ayu as the party's national chairman.
The statement titled ‘Disclaimer’, which was addressed to relevant stakeholders of the party, reads: “We the undersigned PDP Ward Executive Committee Members of Igyorov Council Ward have categorically disclaim and disassociate ourselves from the purported letter of vote of No confidence and suspension of Senator Dr. Iyorchial Ayu as a member of PDP in Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State dated the 24th day of March, 2023 Circulating on the Channel Station, Arise News, other Media Stations/Channels, Newspapers and Social Media Generally.
“The executive committee have never discussed in any of our meetings prior to election or post 2023 General Election about the conduct of the National Chairman. Chapter 10 section 57 of the party's Constitution 2017 as amended.
“The Executive Committee Members have stated clearly that they have no knowledge about the letter and have not authorized anybody whatsoever to generate such mischievous letter on behalf of the Executive Committee.
“The purported signatures on the letter are forged and no member of PDP Executive Committee of Igyorov Council Ward have signed that letter nor caused to be signed on his or her behalf.
“The names of the Executive Committee Members are wrongly written and spelled which show the desperation of the mischief makers. The content of the purported letter itself is contradictory on the holding of the presidential and National Assembly Elections on the 25th March, 2023 while the letter itself is dated 24th, March, 2023. The letter was written before the purported Commission of the offence which shows clearly that it is the hand work of the mischief makers.
“Igyorov PDP Ward Executive Committee hereby pass vote of full confidence on Senator Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and we also pledge our full support for his pragmatic leadership style (as the National Chairman of the Party) by taking our party to higher heights.”
“The public is hereby notified to disregard the letter and its content for not being genuine and also not coming from PDP Executive Committee of Igyorov Council Ward,” the statement added.