PDP Crisis: ‘How NWC Forced Ayu To Step Down As National Chairman’

Sources have revealed that Iyorchia Ayu was unwilling to step down as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman during the emergency meeting held on Tuesday by the party’s leadership.

Despite bringing the court order barring him from parading himself as the PDP National Chairman to his notice, Ayu was reported to have been reluctant in leaving the position.

He argued that the move for him to step down was done in bad faith.

He was however prevailed upon by some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) which eventually led to the emergence of the Deputy National Chairman North, Ambassador Umar Damagum as the acting Chairman of the PDP.

A source privy to the discussions at the meeting was quoted by Daily Trust to have revealed that the NWC members convinced Ayu to step down and follow the legal route.

It was gathered that the Governors on the platform of the party also supported the replacement of Ayu.

Given the unanimous position at the NWC meeting in favour of his ouster, the embattled chairman later came into the party headquarters to carry out some of his personal effects.

Ayu was in his office at the party headquarters in the early hours of Tuesday to pack his personal belongings.

The ex-national chairman who was in the company of the national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu was said to have moved straight into his office while his security aides took over strategic locations within the Wadata Plaza as he moved his belongings.

After the clear-out, at the PDP headquarters, the acting Chairman Damagum disclosed that he would soon be having a meeting with the party’s NWC, possibly for a review of the situation at the party and the several suspensions authorized in the twilight of Ayu’s departure from office.