Just in: Embattled Sen. Iyorchia Ayu barred from parading himself as PDP’s National Chairman

Embattled National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, has been barred by a high court from parading himself as chairman.

A State High Court in Makurdi, Benue State gave the interim order on Monday
in a suit filed against Ayu.

Justice W.I. Kpochi, ruling on the prayers in the suit No. MHC/85/2023 filed at the court by Engr Conrad Terhide Utaan with Ayu and the PDP as defendants, said Ayu should stop parading himself as the National Chairman until the determination of the case.

The judge adjourned the case until April 17 for further hearing.

Persecondnews reported that on Sunday, March 26, the Executive Committee of the PDP in Igyorov Ward in Gboko Local Government Area of the state had suspended Ayu from the party with immediate effect.

The secretary of the committee, Mr Banger Dooyum, said Ayu was suspended for alleged “anti-party activities” after passing a vote of no confidence in him.

He claimed that Ayu’s alleged anti-party activities alongside his supporters contributed to the loss of the party in his ward and local government in the March 11 governorship poll.

The committee also accused the national chairman of not paying his annual dues as enshrined by the party’s constitution.

Reacting on Monday to the purported suspension, Ayu described those who suspended him as illiterates who are ignorant of the provisions of the PDP constitution.

Ayu said insisted that only the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) has power to suspend him.

“The ward executive committee members are being teleguided by political gamblers to cause mischief and nothing more.”