PDP Crisis: Ayu Out, Damagum Named Acting Chairman

He will cease to function as national chairman until the court says otherwise.

A Benue High Court on Monday ordered Ayu to stop parading himself as national chairman of the PDP pending determination of the suit before it.

The National Working Committee, NWC of the PDP, acting on the order, yesterday, confirmed its Deputy National Chairman (North), Amb. Umar Illiya Damagum, as acting national chairman after Ayu, stepped aside in deference to the court order.
The PDP NWC took the decision at an emergency meeting, yesterday.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, confirmed the development in a statement shortly after the meeting.
He said: “The NWC at an emergency meeting today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023 acknowledged the Order of the Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023 with regards to the chairmanship position of our great party.

“After careful consideration of the Court Order and in line with Section 45 (2) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), the NWC resolved that the Deputy National Chairman (North) His Excellency, Amb. Umar Ililya Damagum assumes the National Chairmanship of our party in acting capacity with effect from today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of our great Party to remain calm and united at this critical time.”

I’m taking office to fulfill all righteousness — Damagum

Speaking on his new role, Amb. Damagum told reporters that he was stepping into the position to act as chairman “to fulfill all righteousness” because of a court order restraining Dr. Iyorchia Ayu from parading himself as national chairman.

He said: “We are here to fulfill all righteousness, we have a court order restraining our national chairman and we are law-abiding
“I will be here with you in acting capacity pending the determination of the court. I want to use this opportunity to enjoin you to give me the cooperation as we all used to have with you.

“I will have a meeting immediately after this session with the NWC to review what is happening in the party.”

Victory for anti-Ayu forces

The development appears to be a victory, at least for now, for stakeholders who want Ayu to quit the national chairmanship post.

Among those who wanted and asked Ayu to resign as national chairman are former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George; a group of leaders known as the Integrity Group; and five governors elected on the platform of the PDP known as G-5, led by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. The other four governors are Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Samuel Ortom (Benue).