The Peoples Democratic Party (PDPNational )’s Working Committee (NWC), led by Amb. Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue State’s referral to the party’s national disciplinary committee has been overturned by Umar Damagum.
The former governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, the former secretary to the government of the Federation, Sen. Pius Anyim, and others had their suspensions lifted by the NWC, according to a statement released by its national publicity secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Ologunagba, the PDP met on Thursday and extensively discussed recent party developments.
In order to build a more cohesive party that serves the needs of both its thronging members and all Nigerians, he claimed that the NWC had acknowledged the necessity of complete reconciliation between party leaders and key stakeholders.
“In light of the aforementioned, the NWC withdraws Gov. Ortom’s referral to the National Disciplinary Committee.
“In a similar vein, the NWC lifts the suspension of the underlisted members of our wonderful Party listed below:
“Fayose (Ekiti State); Anyim (Ebonyi State); Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State); Ibrahim Shema (Katsina State); Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State)”
Ologunagba stated that the decision did not affect the NEC’s ability to impose necessary disciplinary measures against any party member at any time in accordance with the PDP’s Constitution (as amended in 2017).
The PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) provisions, as well as the new spirit and necessity of reconciliation, unity, and harmony in our Party at this crucial time, are mandated by the NWC to all leaders, significant stakeholders, and teeming Party members across the nation.
The PDP, according to Ologunagba, must stay focused as it continues to take all necessary steps to restore its purportedly stolen mandate and that of Atiku Abubakar, its presidential candidate, through the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ortom was reported to the party’s disciplinary committee on March 24 by the PDP NWC, which was led by the party’s suspended National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu.
Additionally, Shema, Fayose, Anyim, Ityavyar, and Aliyu were suspended by the NWC due to alleged anti-party activities during the general elections of 2023.
The executive members of Ayu’s ward, Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area (LGA), in Benue State, suspended him on Sunday, though he viewed the move as a futile exercise.
He was put on leave for, among other things, alleged anti-party activities, not paying his yearly dues, and failing to cast a ballot in the recently held elections.
In accordance with a court order issued on Monday prohibiting Ayu from representing himself as the party’s national chairman, the party on Tuesday appointed Deputy National Chairman North Damagum as its acting National Chairman.