Wike Celebrates Over Ayu's Suspension By PDP
The Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, on Monday, celebrated the suspension of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu, from the party, on Sunday.
Wike said he supported the suspension order slammed on Senator Iyorchia Ayu, from the party.
Recall that the ward executive committee of the PDP in Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, slammed Ayu with suspension sentence on Sunday, after passing a vote of no confidence on him for what the ward regarded as anti-party activities.
But giving his support to the suspension, Wike, on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, ‘Sunrise Daily’, on Monday, explained that he supported the move because Ayu played a major role in the colossal failure of the PDP in the 2023 general elections.
“I am in support of the suspension,” Wike replied when asked if he was behind the actions of the PDP officials in Benue State.
“In fact if he (Ayu) had left before now, they would have said he has left and that was why the PDP failed the election,” the governor buttressed his point.
“First of all, if you are a member of the party will you be happy with the way the party is today, it is only in this country that you see someone who has failed woefully and without any conscience would still like to occupy the position
“In advanced countries like you see and you are the head of the party, I feel like such a colossal failure you do not need anybody to tell you to turn in the towel
“So those in his ward from Benue are hungry, why are they angry before now Ayu ought to have left that office, people were saying we were pushing for Ayu to leave and that we had a hidden agenda to make PDP fail.
“Ayu remained and PDP didn’t win, you lost your unit as National Chairman you lost your ward, as National Chairman you lost your Local government, as National Chairman of the party not only did you take a distant third in the presidential election you also lost in the state gubernatorial election,” Wike disclosed.
According to him, party leaders and stakeholders who have the PDP’s interest at heart, cannot sit back and watch it being destroyed in the hands of individuals who have nothing attached to the party.
Wike disclosed that its abnormal taking directives from a politician who could not deliver his ward and was not able to ensure the party was successful at his local government and state level.
Ayu was suspended by his Igyorov Ward, who passes vote of no confidence on him on Sunday, in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, where he was accused of anti-party activities and was slammed suspension order.
Recall that the National Working Committee, NWC, of PDP, had dragged the Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom before the national disciplinary committee of the party and suspended former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, and the former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim among others.
The Secretary of Igyorov Council Ward, Mr Banger Dooyum, read the resolution passed at the end of their meeting which gave support to Ayu's suspension on Sunday, where a vote of no confidence was passed on him by his ward.
"The Peoples Democratic Party Executive Committee of Igyorov council ward of Gboko local government area in Benue state has passed a vote of no confidence on the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and suspended him from the party". Dooyum, stated.
Mr Dooyum, while reading the resolution of the ward Exco, said "He (Ayu) was involved in anti- party activities making the PDP to lose at his ward and Local Government Area along with his allies who also didn't vote at the Governorship Election."
He was also accused of not paying his annual dues as enshrined by the party's constitution.
It would be also recalled that shortly after the Benue State Governor was referred to the National Disciplinary Committee of the PDP for anti-party activities by the National Working Committee, NWC, of PDP chaired by Ayu, the Rivers State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike dared the national leadership of the PDP, declaring that his Benue State counterpart would not appear before the Committee.
Wike also described the suspension of former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose and others for anti-party activities by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP as a nullity.
"I want to state clearly and let members of the party and Nigerians hear it clearly, the National Working Committee made up of Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who they say is the Chairman of the party; Sam Anyanwu, the national secretary and other members of NWC, cannot suspend Ayo Fayose, not to talk about referring governor Ortom to national disciplinary committee." Wike stated in his statement.
Governor Wike observed that the decision of the NWC to refer governor Ortom to the party's National Disciplinary Committee is the height of all insult.
"Referring a governor to your so called national disciplinary committee is the height of all insult, and we will not take it. Therefore, be ready for whatever you see as far as this our party is concern." He said.
According to Governor Wike, the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom would not appear before the PDP National Disciplinary Committee.
He explained that Governor Ortom, who had stood firm for the unity of this country, adding that governor Ortom has come out openly to say that Nigeria must be one is not the type that would be referred to the "kangaroo committee."
According to he Rivers State governor, said if there was anyone who deserved to be suspended from the party, that it must be Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who he accused of contravening the PDP constitution on the zoning of elective and appointive offices.
"If there is any person deserving suspension, it should be you (Ayu), who played anti party by refusing to obey the constitution of the party on zoning of political offices as is required.
"So, whoever tells you that you can suspend people, please tell the person that he is not serious."
"If you are talking of anti-party, it is you who could not even deliver your unit, deliver your ward that is involved.
"Because of the fraudulent activities you are involved in, people have lost hope in you. That is why you cannot win your unit, win your ward", he stressed.
Governor Wike advised Ayu and the NWC to desist from threatening the G-5 governors and members of the Integrity Group with suspension.
Wike said that Ayu had by his recent actions opened up a new chapter of political war in the party.
"You cannot cage any of us. Ortom will not appear before any of your so called disciplinary committee. Ayodele Fayose will also never appear before any disciplinary committee", he vowed.
