The suspended National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, may find it difficult to return to office as some prominent members of the party are against his reinstatement.
Some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) are allegedly working against his return following the defeat of the party in the 2023 presidential election.
Recall Ayu was suspended by his Igyorov Ward in the Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.
Following the suspension, Justice Wilfred Kpochi of the state High Court in Makurdi granted an ex parte injunction barring him from parading himself as the chairman of the party.
With respect to the court order, Ayu stepped aside on Tuesday and the Deputy National Chairman of the party (North), Umar Damagum took over as the acting national chairman
A member of the NWC who spoke with Punch said Ayu’s return would not sit well with the majority of them because of his handling of the G5 crisis.
The NWC member said, “Some of us told him (Ayu) privately to resign so that Governor Wike and his group would return to the campaign council and work for the party and our candidate. I don’t know what was going on in his mind, but I think he believed the lies circulating in the media then that some All Progressives Congress governors were working with Atiku Abubakar to give him victory.
“Even if he stood a chance of winning his state for the party, which we knew he could not without Governor Ortom’s support, he should have given way so that the four other governors would team up with Atiku.
“We can’t openly come out and speak now, but the truth is that we are happy with the acting national chairman. I don’t know what will become of Ayu, but Damagum has the support of the majority of the NWC members.”
