The embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iyorchia Ayu has fired back at his ward PDP executives, that it has no power to suspend him, claiming that only the National Executive Committee of the party has the constitutional authority to take such a decision.
Recall, Ayu was suspended on Sunday, March 27 by the Executive Committee of the PDP in Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, for alleged anti-party activities.
Reacting to the suspension on Monday, March 27, 2023, through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications Simon Imobo-Tswam, Ayu stated that the constitutional power to take disciplinary action against any member of the party’s NEC is not vested in any organ of the party, whether at the ward, state or national level, noting that only the NEC of the party, has the right to take such action.
However, he described the announcement of the suspension as a futile exercise, which can not stand because it has no constitutional backing.
“The purported suspension is, therefore, an exercise in futility as it derives its strength majorly from gross illiteracy, ignorance, gambling, and desperation. It has only mischief, drama, and propaganda value.
“For starters, Article 57(7) of the PDP Constitution as Amended in 2017 expressly prohibits any organ of the party or executive committee of the party at the Ward or State Level from taking any disciplinary measure against any member of the party’s National Executive Committee.
“The purported suspension is, therefore, an exercise in futility as it derives its strength majorly from gross illiteracy, ignorance, gambling, and desperation. It has only mischief, drama, and propaganda value,” the statement said.
He argued that the ward executive members were coerced and threatened to take take the action.
“At the time they were supposed to be in Makurdi with the other coerced, intimidated, and induced members of the exco, they were actually in their villages, going about their normal businesses.
“From what we know, the document itself is fraudulent as the signatures of the Ward Executives were forged or obtained under duress.
“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.
“This is why the original date is typed and 24 March imposed on it. And this is also why it states that the presidential/NASS and governorship/state assembly elections were held on 25th and 18th March 2023 respectively,” the statement added.
However, the Chairman urged Nigerians to disregard reports of his suspension, noting it is a decision that can never stand.
