· Insists only PDP NEC can suspend him
The embattled National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Iyorchia Ayu has described his purported suspension by the Executive Committee of his Ward in Benue state as null and void, adding that only National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party has the power to suspend him.
The Chairman in a statement by his Special Adviser to the National Chairman on Media and Communications, Simon Imobo-Tswam on Monday, said that the ward has no powers to suspend a national officer.
Ayu described governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State and ward officers of Igyrovo as illiterates, ignorant gamblers who are desperate to grab power.
He said, “The PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has not been suspended by his Ward. Some members of the Exco are only being tele – guided by political gamblers to cause mischief and nothing more.
“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.
“But more than this, the so-called suspension letter was written by an illiterate before hand, and only given to the coerced members to sign somewhere in Makurdi.
“This is why the original date is altered and 24 March imposed on it. And this is also why it states that the presidential/NASS and Governorship/State Assembly elections held on 25th and 18th March, 2023 respectively”.
Ayu said that the document is fake and signatures forged or obtained under duress.
“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.
“In fact, the same applies for Nos. 5, 8 and 16. 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.
“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”.
The chairman advised the general public to ignore rumours, adding that those behind the plot are only investing in expensive illusions.