Truce As PDP Pardons Anyim, Fayose, Shema, Other Suspended Members

By Ayodele Oni and Akinwale Kasali

Seeking truce and a way to return peace to the party, the Peoples Democratic Party has rescinded its decision to suspend some prominent members of the party.

The National Working Committee, (NWC) had, last week, announced the suspension of some members including former Governors of Ekiti State, and Katsina State Governors

Ayodele Fayose and  Ibrahim Shema. Also suspended was Chief Pius Anyim, former President of the Senate and a former Secretary to the State Government, among others.

The referral of Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, to a disciplinary committee has also been canceled.

Unfolding events after the incident led to the stepping aside of Dr Iyorcha Ayu as National Chairman, following his suspension by his Ward and a Court action against him.

Rising from its meeting on Thursday in Abuja, the NWC announced that some of the decisions have been reviewed to allow peace to reign in the party.

PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement stated that “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its meeting today, Thursday, March 30, 2023 extensively discussed recent developments in the Party.

“The NWC recognized the imperativeness of a total reconciliation among Party leaders and critical stakeholders for a more cohesive Party in the overall interest of our teeming members and Nigerians in general.

“Consequent upon the above, the NWC reverses the referral of the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee.

“The NWC in the same vein reverses the suspension of the following underlisted members of our great Party: H.E Ibrahim Shema, Katsina State; Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State; Sen. Pius Anyim Ebonyi State; Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, Benue State and Dr. Aslam Aliyu Zamfara State.

“This decision is without prejudice to the powers of the NWC to take necessary disciplinary action against any member of the Party at any time pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party across the country to be guided by the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) as well as the new spirit and necessity of reconciliation, unity and harmony in our Party at this critical time.

“The PDP must remain focused as we continue to take every necessary action to recover the stolen mandate freely given by Nigerians to our Party and Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday February 25, 2023, at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.”