PDP reverses Anyim, Fayose’s suspension, others too

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Thursday reversed the suspension of Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and the former governor of Ekiti State, Peter Ayodele Fayose who were suspended over alleged anti-party activities.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Hon Debo Ologunagba which was obtained by CAPITAL POST in Abuja, he said the National Working Committee of the party took the decision in the interest of genuine reconciliation.

Others who were recalled from suspension include a former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema; Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State), and Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State).

The reversal came within 24 hours after the Party’s National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu stepped aside and was replaced by an acting National Chairman.

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom would also have a sigh of relief as he will no longer appear before a Disciplinary Committee for alleged anti-party activities.

He said, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its meeting today, Thursday, March 30, 2023 extensively discussed recent developments in the Party.

“The NWC recognized the imperativeness of a total reconciliation among Party leaders and critical stakeholders for a more cohesive Party in the overall interest of our teeming members and Nigerians in general.

“Consequent upon the above, the NWC reverses the referral of the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee.

“The NWC in the same vein reverses the suspension of the following underlisted members of our great Party:

1. H.E Ibrahim Shema (Katsina State)

2. Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State)

3. Sen. Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State)

4. Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State)

5. Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State)

“This decision is without prejudice to the powers of the NWC to take necessary disciplinary action against any member of the Party at any time pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party across the country to be guided by the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) as well as the new spirit and necessity of reconciliation, unity and harmony in our Party at this critical time.

“The PDP must remain focused as we continue to take every necessary action to recover the stolen mandate freely given by Nigerians to our Party and Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday February 25, 2023, at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.”

Recall that the five party leaders were suspended by the PDP under the national chairmanship of Dr Iyorchia Ayu last week. Days after, Ayu was suspended by his party at the ward level following which an order from a Benue State High Court barred him from parading himself as national chairman of PDP.

Consequently, the deputy national chairman of the party (North), Umar Damagum, statutorily emerged acting national chairman, under whose watch the suspension orders were reversed.

Ayu, however, vowed to challenge and vacate the court order.