Finally! Suspended PDP Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, Steps Down

By Damilare Adeleye

The embattled National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu has finally bowed to the court order stopping him as the chairman of the party.

Subsequently, the Deputy National Chairman, (North) Umar Iliya Damagum, has been announced to take over the mantle of leadership of the party.

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

The Nigerian Voice reported that a High Court in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, 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.

A member of the PDP from Benue, Terhide Utaan, who is the plaintiff before Justice W. I Kpochi, obtained the order restraining Ayu from parading himself as national chairman of the party.

Addressing journalists in Makurdi after obtaining the court order, the plaintiff said following the suspension of Ayu by his Igyorov Ward Exco on Sunday, it is wrong for him to keep up with the office of national chairman and further disunite the party.

Recall that Ayu was suspended by his ward Executive Committee late last Sunday for anti-party activities, following the party’s loss in the presidential election.