Ayu’s Suspension: Factional Ward Exco Disowns Those Behind Vote Of No Confidence

By Ayodele Oni

With an order by a High Court hanging on his head, the national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Dr Iyorcha Ayu who is still battling to vacate the order got a morale booster from his Ward as another faction of the party executives passed a Vote Of Confidence On him.

The faction, led by the Deputy Chairman, Mrs. Ortese Hellen and 15 others, disowned the earlier resolution describing those behind its passage as mischief-makers.

Addressing the media on Sunday, on behalf of Kashi Philip, the Ward Chairman, the Ward Secretary Mr. Vangeryina Dooyum explained that Dr. Ayu was suspended by the Executive for alleged anti party activities.

Reading from a text signed by 12 out of the 17 member Ward Executive, the Secretary stated that the decision to suspend the National Chairman was reached after the leadership reviewed his conduct at the end of the just concluded general elections.

Reacting to his suspension on Monday, the Embattled chairman described those behind his suspension as illiterate members of the the executive.

The statement came before a High Court in Benue state restrained Dr Ayu from parading himself  as national chairman of the PDP.

The Executives Committee members of Igyorov Ward in Ipav, Gboko local government area of Benue state, again on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence on the PDP National Chairman.

The Ward Executive, led by Deputy Chairman and 15 others, also disclaimed the purported suspension of the national chairman, saying at no time did the members meet to discuss any matter concerning the national chairman.

In a  press statement issued on Tuesday, the Ward Executives said they have no knowledge of the letter or its contents, and have never authorized anyone to “generate such a mischievous letter.”

The letter signed by the  16 Exco members reads in part: “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.

“The Executive Committee members have stated clearly that they have no knowledge about the letter and have not authoriszed anybody whatsoever to generate such a mischievous letter on behalf of the Executive Committee.”

“The purported signatures on the letter are forged and no member of PDP 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 spelt which show the desperation of the mischief-makers.”

On the letter’s error that all the elections were held in March 2023, the statement explained that this was proof that the letter was written in advance, and only given to some people to sign.

The Executives then passed on vote of confidence on Ayu and urged the public to disregard the so-called letter purporting to suspend him.

Those who signed the letter include: Deputy Ward Chairperson, Mrs. Ortese Hellen; Treasurer, Saawuan Terlumun; Organizing Secretary, Atema Iorde and Legal Adviser, Uko Injabo.

Others are: Woman Leader, Mrs. Tse Nguveren; Jooji John, Elected Councillor and former Ward Chairman, David Atime.

A copy of the letter has been copied the Benue state Governor, the State Chairman, the national chairman, the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Caucus, among others.