Only PDP NEC can suspend Ayu, says aide

Simon Imobo-Tswam, media adviser to Iyorchia Ayu, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says his principal cannot be suspended by his ward.

On Sunday, the executive members of Igyorov ward, Gboko LGA of Benue state, passed a vote of no confidence on Ayu over alleged anti-party activities.

The party executives claimed that Ayu worked against the success of the PDP in his ward and did not vote in the March 18 governorship and the house of assembly election.

Reacting to the suspension in a statement issued on Monday, Imobo-Tswam said only the national executive committee (NEC), which is the highest decision-making organ of the party, can suspend a national chairman.

Citing section 57(7) of the PDP constitution, Imobo-Tswam said any organ other than the NEC is prohibited from disciplining the national chairman.

He said Ayu’s ”purported suspension” is an “exercise in futility” and should be disregarded.

“Iyorchia Ayu has not been suspended by his ward. Some members of the exco are only being teleguided by political gamblers to cause mischief and nothing more,” the statement reads.

Imobo-Tswam alleged that those whose names appeared on the suspension letter either had their signatures forged or were “coerced” to sign.

“The chairman, his deputy, and legal adviser didn’t sign. The 14th person on the list didn’t sign too. She was at NKST Ambighir for the Holy Communion,” he said.

“Up till now, about nine members of the ward exco are still being held hostage in a location in Makurdi for obvious reasons. And expectedly, their mobile numbers have been switched off. It is instructive.

“The general public is hereby advised to ignore rumours to this heinous effect. Those behind the plot are only investing in expensive illusions.”

PARTY CHAIRPERSONS SUSPENDED BY WARD EXCOS

In 2020, Adams Oshiomhole, the then-national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was suspended by his ward in Edo state.

The case, which was subsequently subjected to a judicial process up to the appeal court, ultimately led to his removal from office.

Uche Secondus, whom Ayu succeeded in 2021, was also suspended by his ward in Rivers state. However, a court had barred him from serving as chairman before his ward suspended him.