Wike Backs Ayu’s Suspension From PDP Over Anti-Party Activities

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has backed the suspension of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, at the ward level.

Naija News reported that the party executive at Igyorov ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, on Sunday, suspended Ayu over alleged anti-party activities.

The Secretary of the party at the ward, Vangeryina Dooyum, announced Ayu’s suspension on behalf of the ward chairman, Kashi Philip, at a media briefing on Sunday.

In a statement signed by 12 out of the 17 members of the ward executive, Dooyum said the decision to suspend the Ayu was reached after the ward leadership reviewed his conduct at the end of the just-concluded general elections.

He stated that the executive also passed a vote of no confidence in Ayu and suspend him as a party member with immediate effect, adding that the suspension takes effect from March 24, 2023.

Speaking during an interview with Channels TV on Monday, Wike stated that the suspension of the national chairman was long overdue and the right thing to do.

He stated that Ayu was suspended was because members are angry that the party lost woefully during the February 25 and March 18 general elections.

Wike asserted that the people rejected the opposition PDP because Ayu refused to resign from the party’s chairmanship position.

The Rivers governor promised to support Ayu’s suspension financially and in other ways, adding that the opposition party needs new leadership.

Wike added that Ayu was ungrateful for suspending some of his political allies, and for especially recommending Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state to a disciplinary committee.

He said: “It is only in this country that someone who has lost woefully during the general elections still wants to occupy the position of Chairmanship in PDP.

“As a national chairman of the people, Ayu lost his ward, your local government; not only did he take a distant third, you(Ayu) also lost presidential and governorship elections.

“I am in support of Ayu’s suspension in Benue.

“If he left before the elections, they would have said his leaving was the reason PDP lost the election; thank God he presided over the colossal failure of the party during the general elections.

“We cannot have the party in the hands of persons without any political contribution to the party.”