2023 Elections: PDP sets up committee to review South-South performance

…backs Iyorchia Ayu’s sack by court

The Peoples Democratic Party (South-South Zone) has resolved to set up a committee to appraise and review the performance and outcome of the just concluded general elections across the South-South States.

While recommending the setting up of a truth and reconciliation committee to achieve lasting peace and unity for its progress and growth, the party also supported the sacking of its national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu by Justice W. I. Kpochi, of a Benue State High Court in Markurdi and his replacement with the Deputy National chairman (North), Alhaji Iliya Umar in acting capacity.

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The Zonal Working Committee Meeting of the PDP (South-South Zone), stated these in a communique signed by its Publicity Secretary, Etim Ante, issued after its meeting in Port Harcourt and presided by its National Vice Chairman (South), Dan Orbih.

The communique obtained by journalists in Abuja on Friday also supported the decision of the PDP National Working Committee to reverse the earlier decision suspending prominent leaders and members without due process.

Justice W.I. Kpochi had in a suit with No. MHC/85/2023 filed by Terhide Utaan with Ayu and the PDP as defendants, issued an interim injunction restraining him from parading himself as PDP national chairman and adjourned the case till April 17 for further hearing.

The PDP had suspended a former governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose; former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim; a former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema; a Benue state chieftain, Prof Dennis Ityavyar, and Dr Aslam Aliyu of Zamfara State.

The PDP NWC on Thursday reviewed and reversed the decision with immediate effect after an extensive review of the affairs of the party, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP constitution (as amended in 2017).

In a well attended ZWC meeting of the South-South PDP in Port Harcourt on Thursday March 30, the party congratulated all its newly elected Governors, Senators, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly Members in the South South.

The communique reads in part, “The zone appreciates the commendable efforts of all our party leaders, stakeholders and the entire party faithfuls for winning many of the contested seats for the party in the just concluded elections.

“The zone resolved to set up a committee to appraise and review the performance and outcome of the just concluded general elections across the south-south states.

“We commend the National Working Committee for its wise handling of Dr. Ayu’s suspension saga and the subsequent assumption of the office by the Deputy National chairman (North), Alhaji Iliya Umar as acting national chairman.

“We support the National Working Committee’s decision to reverse the earlier decision suspending prominent leaders and members without due process.

“The zone calls for amicable resolution of all lingering crisis bedeviling the party. The zone recommends the setting up of a truth and reconciliation committee to achieve lasting peace and unity for the progress and growth of the party.”