Ayu’s Comeback On Line As NEC Meets Tuesday

The chance of the suspended National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu coming back to the office is on the line.

Recall that the National Working Committee of the party had asked Ayu to step aside and appointed the Deputy National Chairman (North), Umar Illiya Damagun as acting chairman.

Speaking on the issue in the party, a member of the NWC who spoke on condition of anonymity with Vanguard said the party has triggered the relevant clauses in its constitution to enable the next-in-line step in.

He noted that the party waits to see if Ayu would be able to get the court to vacate the order stopping him from parading himself as the party’s national chairman.

The NWC member said, “The party is moving on. While we wait to see if Ayu will seek and get the court to vacate the order against him, we triggered the relevant clauses in our constitution to enable the next-in-line step in.

“Most will not be aware, the decision to suspend some of our leaders like former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, ex-governors Ayo Fayose and Ibrahim Shema among others was a product of Ayu’s veto powers.

“When he brought up the issue of wielding the big stick during that meeting, most of us opposed it because we felt this was the time for healing and since we are still challenging the Presidential election results in court, it will be better not to start another crisis. However, our Organizing Secretary and one other member urged him on. Here we are.

“The decision to reverse the suspensions which were our first major decision since Damagun took over is part of our original plan to reach out to all aggrieved members in order to start our rebuilding process.”

Another party leader who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “We will be in Abuja for Tuesday’s NEC meeting where we expect far-reaching decisions will be taken to reposition our party. We still have off-season elections in Kogi and Bayelsa as well as our court matter to contend with, we need everyone on board.”