The crisis within the leading opposition party, PDP takes a new turn as the national chairman of the party was suspended over the allegations of anti-party activities and non-conforming with the party guidelines.
This decision was reached in a meeting by the executive of the party in Igyorov ward where he hails from.
They suspended Ayu for anti-party activities after passing a vote of no confidence on him. While reading a resolution, the secretary of the party in Igyorov ward, Banger Dooyum, said Ayu’s anti-party activities alongside his allies contributed to PDP’s loss in his ward and local government in the governorship election. Ayu is also accused of not paying his annual dues as enshrined by the party’s constitution.

Twelve out of the seventeen exco members signed the documents endorsing his suspension. They also alleged that the PDP chieftain did not vote during the governorship and state assembly elections held on the 18th of March, 2023.
According to them, most of Ayu’s closest allies worked for the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) which resulted in the abysmal performance of the PDP in Igyorov Ward. The ward chairman of Igyorov, Kashi Philip, also signed the letter alongside the exco.
You will recall that the Ayu-led national working committee have earlier last week suspended some of the party chieftains and recommended some for the disciplinary committee.
The party said this in a statement on Thursday by its spokesperson, Dele Ologunagba, after a meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja. The statement said, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has after a very extensive review of the affairs of our Party in the country and under the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) referred the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.”

“The NWC also approved the suspension of the following from the Party with effect from today, Thursday, March 23, 2023.
- Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State)
- Sen. Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State)
- Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State)
- Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State)
The decision of the NWC did not go well with the Wike-led G5 which promises a showdown with Dr. Ayu.
While responding to the suspension news, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stated that his Benue State counterpart, Dr. Samuel Ortom will not appear before the National Disciplinary Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP over his alleged involvement in anti-party activities. He also described the suspension of former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, and others for alleged anti-party activities by the PDP as a nullity.
According to him, Ayu has by his recent action opened up a new chapter of political war in the party. ”You cannot cage any of us, Ortom will not appear before any of your so-called disciplinary committees. Ayodele Fayose will also never appear before any disciplinary committee”, Governor Wike added.
Meanwhile, it is believed by political observers that the suspension of Ayu by his ward chapter of the party is a clap back from those believed to be loyal to the G5 group of the People’s Democratic Party.
