Spokesman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Debo Ologunagba has said that the news making the rounds that the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, has been suspended is fake.
In a statement today, June 29, the spokesman said that such report is completely false and a product of the imagination of mischief makers with the intent to destabilize the party, “create an impression of crisis within our ranks and mislead the unsuspecting members of the public.”
“It is clear that the false report is the handiwork of vicious anti-people forces who are agitated by the stability, unity and soaring popularity of our Party under the cohesive Sen Dr. Ayu led National Working Committee as well as the intimidating statures of our Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar and His Excellency, Sen Dr.Ifeanyi Okowa respectively.
“Our National Chainman Sen Dr lyarchia Ayu is on a short vacation outside of the country and he officially transmitted power to the Deputy National Chairman (North) His Excellency Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, to perform his duties in Acting Capacity pending his return in line with the provision of the Comititution of the PDP 2017 (amended).”
The statement said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was duly informed on the absence of the National Chairman and that Damagun will be performing the duties of the National Chairman in Acting capacity pending Ayu’s return.
This is even as the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, accused the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of treating Nyesom Wike unfairly, advising him to personally visit the Rivers State governor to mend fences after bypassing him as running mate despite the party’s selection committee’s recommendation.
Although Atiku had visited Wike after the conclusion of the party’s presidential primary, both men have not met or spoken since the selection of the party’s presidential running mate.
Instead of Wike, Atiku picked Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.
Meanwhile, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, had hinted that some aggrieved stakeholders of the party may head to court to seek the removal of Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.
He said that the PDP’s constitution provides for rotational presidency just like the Nigerian Constitution.
