Court Upholds Ayu’s PDP Suspension

A State High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State capital, on Friday, confirmed the sack of Iyorchia Ayu as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The presiding judge, Maurice Ikpambese, also nullified Ayu’s membership in the party.

In his verdict, Ikpambese said by virtue of article 8(9) of the PDP’s constitution, Ayu ceased to be a member of the PDP due to his failure to pay his membership fees.

He ruled that Ayu’s membership of the PDP elapsed with his failure to pay his membership subscription fee.

Ikpambese added that article 46(1) of the PDP empowers the ward to discipline a member of the party’s National Executive Committee.

Ayu had also argued that the ward lacked the power to suspend a member of the NEC.

In his verdict, he said, “The plaintiff has proven his case. All the questions for determination have been resolved in favour of the plaintiff. He is entitled to all the reliefs sought. I so order.”

The executive members of Igyorov ward, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, passed a vote of no confidence on Ayu over alleged anti-party activities in March 2023.

The executives also alleged Ayu did not vote in the March 18 governorship and the House of Assembly elections in the state and also worked against the success of the PDP in his ward during the elections.

Following this, Terhide Utaan filed an ex parte motion praying the court to stop Ayu from parading himself as the national chairman of the party.

Utaan filed the suit through his lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN). However, Ayu through his counsel, J.J Usman, filed a preliminary objection to the suit.