Iyorchia Ayu, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says only the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party has the constitutional powers to suspend him.
On Sunday, Ayu was suspended by the executive committee of the PDP in Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State for alleged anti-party activities.
In a statement on Monday by Simon Imobo-Tswam, special adviser on media and communications to the chairman, Ayu described the announcement of the suspension as a futile exercise.
He added that there was no constitutional backing for any organ of the party or executive committee at either the ward, state or national levels to take disciplinary measures against any member of the party’s NEC.
“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,” he said.
“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 chairman further said that the ward executive members were forced and intimidated into taking 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,” he added.
“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 Ambiger 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 held on 25th and 18th March, 2023 respectively.”
