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Tag: Iyorchia Ayu

  • Wike is PDP’s greatest asset – Ayu

    Wike is PDP’s greatest asset – Ayu

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, has described Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State as a great asset to the party.

    Ayu said Wike has helped to rescue PDP since time immemorial.

    The PDP National Chairman disclosed this through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Yusuf Dingyadi, in a chat with journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday.

    He said: “We are trying to see that everyone is giving a fear hearing. As we speak, the local reconciliation committee is meeting with party members at the state level to discuss issues and find solutions to those issues.

    “For example, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, is one of the great assets to PDP. He is a leader, governor, and somebody who has helped to rescue PDP since time immemorial.

    “Since Ayu took over as the chairman of the party to date, he has made tremendous progress in building the party in all 36 States including the FCT Abuja.”

    Wike has been aggrieved with PDP over the refusal of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to pick him as his running mate.

  • PDP Crisis: Ortom Counters Wike’s Camp On Ayu’s Removal

    PDP Crisis: Ortom Counters Wike’s Camp On Ayu’s Removal

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, yesterday, dismissed insinuations that he was in support of the removal of National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, saying it is impossible for him to advocate the removal of someone he helped to appoint. Ortom reasserted his confidence in Ayu’s ability to lead the party to victory in next year’s general election, in a surprising contrast to the position of his close ally, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

    The governor was reacting to accusations by a group, Jemgbagh Development Association, that he was involved in the ouster moves against the PDP national chairman, a fellow Benue man.

    But more PDP stakeholders continued to mount pressure on the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to persuade Ayu to resign in the larger interest.

    Ortom’s position directly contradicts that of the group he belongs to in PDP, the camp of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. The Wike camp’s irreducible minimum condition for resolution of the crisis that started after he was by-passed for Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the selection of presidential running mate was Ayu’s ouster.

    The group, which Ortom is an active member of, has for months insisted that Ayu must resign for a southerner to occupy the PDP chairmanship post.

    Observers are, however, unsure of what Ortom’s latest statement represents, even as the Wike camp continues to dig its heels in, maintaining that Ayu must go.

    Relatedly, the PDP Presidential Campaign Council said the party was not threatened by other candidates in the 2023 presidential election. The council said its candidate, Atiku, and his running mate, Okowa, stood tall above other candidates in the election.

    The campaign council also dismissed some recent outbursts of the Rivers State governor as frivolous and senseless.

    The council’s reactions came as Atiku appointed some prominent members of the party as special advisers, an idea he said was aimed at strengthening his presidential campaign team.

    Those appointed included former Senate Presidents, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Senator Pius Anyim; former governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau; former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Senator Ehigie Uzamere; and former national chairman of the party, Uche Secondus.

    Ortom, in a statement in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, said it was an open secret that he worked tirelessly, alongside other prominent Benue citizens, to ensure that Ayu was elected “as the national chairman of our great party even against all odds.”

    To this extent, the statement said, “The governor could not, therefore, turn around to work against him to be removed from office.”

    It described as mischievous “allegations by an amorphous, little known group parading itself as Jemgbagh Development Association, Abuja chapter, that the Benue governor has a hand in Ayu’s current travails”.

    Ortom maintained that with the backing of many leaders of the PDP, who believed his sense of judgment, they worked relentlessly in the run up to the party’s national convention to market Ayu as having the requisite capacity to lead PDP, especially, in the 2023 general election.

    The statement said, “Governor Ortom vouched for the integrity and capacity of Dr Iyorchia Ayu to lead and rebuild the PDP to victory and rescue Nigeria from the misrule of the APC maladministration. That is why Ayu was returned unopposed by the northern caucus of the party and got elected as the national chairman of the PDP at the party’s convention.

    “Where was Jemgbagh Development Association, when Governor Ortom galvanised support from across the leaders of the party to make Dr. Ayu PDP’s National Chairman? What was their contribution to that project that they now want to use clannish stance to blackmail the governor?”

    He further described as laughable how “this amorphous and emergency Jemgbagh Development Association, Abuja, which has never been heard of before, is now masquerading as the voice of Jemgbagh to embark on campaign of calumny against Governor Ortom, who has worked selflessly for the people of Benue State.

    “Governor Ortom is more Jemgbagh than most of the people claiming it now. This is fact, because he has done more for Jemgbagh, both in terms of appointments and projects executed as well as patronage in the area, than even one of the Jemgbagh sons, who was governor. Besides, Governor Ortom has consistently worked for the unity of Benue State and will never stand in the way of any of her citizens, either here in the state or in the diaspora

    “For those, who claimed to be leaders of this Jemgbagh Development Association, Abuja, we urge them to be truly developmental in their drive to build cohesion among the people and attract real development to their area rather than engaging in mischief or blackmail.”

  • PDP Crisis: Ayu is Corrupt, Collected N1bn from presidential Candidate in Lagos – Wike

    PDP Crisis: Ayu is Corrupt, Collected N1bn from presidential Candidate in Lagos – Wike

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, has accused the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, of being very corrupt.

    In a media chat with selected television stations on Friday, Wike said Ayu collected N1 billion from a presidential candidate.

    Wike said he was ready to mention the very candidate who the party’s Chairman received the money from if the need be.

    According to him, “Ayu is very corrupt. He cannot deny the fact that he is very corrupt.

    “Ayu collected N1 billion from Lagos. He collected 1bn from a presidential candidate and if he denies it, I will name who gave him the money.

    “Ayu met one of the presidential candidates and told him he doesn’t think the governors were ready to sponsor the party’s convention and he was given N1 billion.

    “That money is not in the party’s coffers. I can tell you the name of the businessmen who were present when he collected the money.”

  • Sacking Ayu will Deepen PDP Crisis – Atiku’s Spokesman

    Sacking Ayu will Deepen PDP Crisis – Atiku’s Spokesman

    Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation spokesman, Charles Aniagwu, has said sacking the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Iyiorcha Ayu, would plunge the main opposition party into deeper crises ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Aniagwu disclosed this on Saturday in a Television programme in Asaba while providing reasons why the PDP was exploring other options for resolving its current crisis.

    According to Aniagwu, the PDP was taking another look at the issues based on what was permissible by the laws of the party.

    He said the suggestion that Ayu must step down has been overtaken by events after the vote of confidence by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

    He said, “Now if you decide to bring these two positions [National Chairman and the Deputy National Chairman] to the South, have you also made arrangements to take the National Secretary to the North?

    “Because of these legal impediments, the party, after examining it, felt that given the time, which is just about six months to the general elections, it may likely snowball into some form of crisis within the party.

    “The party felt that if we proceeded to make these changes, there is the tendency that we could dive into a crisis worse than the one we are seeing at the moment.

    “The leadership of the party is intelligent enough and I’m happy that Governor Nyesom Wike and other leaders appreciate the need for the party to move as a whole into the 2023 general elections.”

  • PDP NEC Passes Vote Of Confidence In Favour of Ayu

    PDP NEC Passes Vote Of Confidence In Favour of Ayu

    The National Executive Council of the Peoples Democratic Party has passed a vote-of-confidence in Senator Iyorchia Ayu, suggesting that the party chairman will not be stepping down any time soon.

    A motion for the vote of confidence in the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) was moved by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu at the BoT and NEC meeting which held in Abuja on Thursday.

    The vote was supported by a NEC member from Kwara State and presided over by the acting chairman of the PDP BoT, Adolphus Wabara.

    There have been several calls by the southern caucus of the PDP for Ayu to step down for a southerner, however, with the vote of confidence, it is almost certain that Ayu will not be vacating the seat.

    In reaction to the development, the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, said the party is determined to resolve its disagreements.

    According to him, such disagreements as have rocked the party in recent times, are normal in a family.

    The former vice president added that the PDP is the oldest party in Nigeria and has stood the test of time.

    Furthermore, Atiku explained that the PDP has a constitution that guides the conduct of members and the party’s activities, adding that all disagreements must be resolved in tandem with the party’s rules and regulations.

  • PDP Crisis: Those Calling for My Resignation Are Children – Ayu

    PDP Crisis: Those Calling for My Resignation Are Children – Ayu

    National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia  Ayu, yesterday, said those calling for his ouster were children, who were nowhere to be found when he and others struggled to form the party.

    Ayu, who spoke in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, said he was not bothered by the calls for his removal.

    Ayu’s comments came as indications emerged that his sacking might not address the concerns of the southern members of the party after all. According to the PDP constitution, if he leaves office, another northerner, Deputy National Chairman, North, Ambassador Umar Damagum, would take over.

    Despite the internal misgivings, PDP revved up activities ahead of the commencement of the 2023 presidential election campaign. The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had since Tuesday been engaged in lengthy meetings to try to foreclose possible obstacles to a smooth electioneering.

    In Makurdi, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, spoke on his relationship with his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, saying he has proven to be a friend indeed.

    Speaking with the BBC Hausa Service, Ayu characterised persons calling for his removal as “children”, saying, “When we started PDP, these children were not around. They are children who do not know why we formed the party. We will not allow any individual to destabilise our party.”

    He added, “I was voted as PDP Chairman for a four-year tenure and I’m yet to complete a year. Atiku’s victory doesn’t affect the chairman’s position. I won my election based on our party’s constitution.

    “I didn’t commit any offence. I’m only reforming the party, so I’m not bothered with all the noises. I know I’m doing my work and I didn’t steal any money, so I see no reason for all these talks.”

  • 2023: PDP Will Win 25 States Despite Crisis – Ayu

    2023: PDP Will Win 25 States Despite Crisis – Ayu

    National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, yesterday, said despite the raging leadership crisis in the party, PDP would win over 25 states and majority seats at the National Assembly in the 2023 general election. Ayu said this at a meeting with the 28 PDP governorship candidates.

    But in Bauchi State, the governor, Bala Mohammed, said he was not aware of any on-going reconciliation meeting between some members of the party and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

    Relatedly, a PDP member of the House of Representatives from Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in Rivers State, Hon. Farah Dagogo, assured the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, of the unflinching support of the Niger Delta people. Dagogo said a 10-million-man march for the presidential hopeful was being planned in the region.

    However, Special Assistant on Media to Wike, Mr. Kelvin Ebiri, lambasted former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, over what he described as Lamido’s disdainful remarks against his principal on Channels television.

    Speaking at a meeting with the 28 PDP governorship candidates, Ayu said, “We are happy that the members of the party are very determined that we don’t just win at the national level. State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, state governorship, we want to return about 25 state governors or more as we used to have. So, the mood in the party is excellent.”

    Ayu said the governorship candidates came to express their concerns in their various states. He stated , “They briefed us on the efforts they are making in their various states to win the election. As you know, the elections will be won in the states not just at the national level.

    “I am very happy with the progress that they have made so far in various states and some of the little issues that we have clarified and it was an extremely useful meeting.”

    Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Mohammed, who is seeking re-election said, “I am not aware of the meeting between other party members and Governor Wike”, adding that the PDP chairman has already spoken, and that the governorship candidates were loyal party members.

    According to the governor, “We believe in the supremacy and sanctity of the party and he has already told you that the mood is very excellent. The candidates are coming together, uniting the party to discuss, even issues of reconciliation.

    “So, it is a very democratic party. He is open and we have asked him all the questions that we need to ask about how to win the elections and then the strategies are ours. We don’t have to relate it to the media now, but, certainly, we are on course.”

    Speaking also, the Kaduna State governorship candidate and chairman of PDP Governorship Candidates’ Forum, Isa Mohammed Ashiru, said, “We are here on a consultative meeting with our leaders on the way forward and we have extended discussions and views, regarding the 2023 elections. We are home and dry. We don’t have crisis in PDP. I don’t know where you got this information.”

  • PDP National Chairman, Ayu returns After UK Vacation

    PDP National Chairman, Ayu returns After UK Vacation

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu has returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom after a short vacation.

    Recall that Ayu jetted out of the country on June 21, 2022, for a short vacation after the hectic party primaries and nomination processes.

    While he was away, some party members called for his replacement, on the account that the Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar is a northerner like the Chairman.

    Ayu, who touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Friday morning, commended the PDP Deputy National Chairman (North) Amb. Umar Damagun who held forth while he was away.

    A statement by Special Assistant to the National Chairman on Communication and Strategy, Simon Imobo-Tswam, further explained that before travelling out, the PDP national chairman had handed over to the most senior member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) Amb. Umar Damagun, who is the Deputy National Chairman (North).

    The statement partly read “besides handing over the deputy chairman (North), Ayu also notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of his brief vacation and the temporary handover to Amb. Damagun in acting capacity.

    “Ayu salutes Amb. Damagun for running the party most admirably in his brief absence, and thanks the National Working Committee, as well as party faithful across the country for giving the deputy national chairman unqualified support while he held forth for him”.

  • Ayu’s Fate Hanging As Crisis Over Okowa’s Selection Worsens

    Ayu’s Fate Hanging As Crisis Over Okowa’s Selection Worsens

    The acrimony generated by the emergence of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as the vice-presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has continued to fester.

    The development has degenerated into a full-blown disagreement among party leaders with some calling for the ouster of the national chairman of the party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.

    Reliable sources gathered that it was those after Ayu’s job that were behind the speculation that the Benue-born politician has already been sent packing.

    But in a swift reaction, Ayu through his Special Adviser, Simon Imobo-Tswam, said he is still in charge. He said the report that the Deputy National Chairman (North), Amb. Umar Damagum, has been appointed in Ayu’s place in acting capacity was “mischievous’’.

    He said: “Dr Ayu took a well-deserved, two-week leave on 21st June 2022. He will be back next week to resume duties, specifically on July 6, 2022.

    “The general public is, therefore, advised to ignore the mischievous social media publications as they are purely the work of mischief-makers and idle minds.”

    However, indication emerged that all was not well in the party which led to only two out of the 13 governors of the party being present when the National Working Committee (NWC) inaugurated the Osun governorship campaign council on Wednesday.

    The two are Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba).

    A 128-member council was named for the governorship election of the state. Ten governors who are members of the party are on the committee.

    Inaugurating the council, the acting National Chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Damagum, said the sole mandate of the council was to win the Osun State governorship election, adding that “Osun is key to our presidential election.”

    “So I believe with the calibre of people in this committee, I’m sure Osun will become ours. You will make a lot of sacrifices for the task ahead of you; engage stakeholders that are aggrieved,” he said.

    Also speaking, Okowa urged party leaders and members in the state to work together to sack APC in the state.

    He said APC “is already in disarray but that is not enough for us to go to sleep.”

    As a further sign that all is not well with the main opposition party, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, while speaking on Arise TV on Wednesday, also said he was among the 17-member committee set up by Atiku Abubakar to recommend a running mate for him.

    “Fourteen of us in the committee said the person should be Nyesom Wike unfortunately Atiku picked Okowa in his wisdom,” he said.

    Ortom, who is also from Benue State, stressed that the presidential candidate was not doing enough to bring the party together.

    He said, “You cannot ignore a decision of a committee you set up yourself and expect people to be happy,” adding that he is presently “in hibernation and praying.”

    Asked if he would support Atiku, Ortom said, “When I finish the prayers and whatever God directs me, I will do.”

    “Atiku should go to him (Wike) and speak with him on the way forward. Wike is a pillar in the party. Currently, nobody has contributed more for the party to move it forward than Wike.

    “If Atiku was not going to honour the decision of the committee, he should have called Wike earlier and informed him. He didn’t do that. You can’t do things anyhow and expect us to be happy.”

    Similarly, a former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, has insisted that power must return to the South in 2023

    Fayose in recent posts on his official Twitter handle opined that the PDP Constitution provides for a rotational presidency.

    Fayose said Section 3(c) of the party’s constitution provides that the party shall pursue its aims and objectives by adhering to the policy of the rotation and zoning of Party and Public elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity,justice and fairness. In apparent reference to Tinubu’s “emi lokan” slogan, Fayose also said “Awa ‘South’ lo kan”, which loosely translated as ‘it is the turn of the South’.

    “The current President of Nigeria is a 2-term Northern Presidency, thus implying that it must be a Southern Presidency in 2023 or nothing. Awa ‘South’ lo kan’. Nigerians should await details soon,” he posted.

  • PDP Will Announce Atiku’s running mate within 48 hours — Ayu

    PDP Will Announce Atiku’s running mate within 48 hours — Ayu

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyiochia Ayu, has expressed confidence that the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will, within the next 48 hours, present a running mate Nigerians will relate well with and vote into office.

    Ayu gave this assurance in his opening remarks at a meeting with members of the consultative committee set up to assist Atiku choose a running mate.

    He explained that the meeting was in furtherance of consultations aimed at arriving at a choice which Nigerians would be glad to elect into office.

    “He apologised and if he comes early, he will join us. But we will go ahead with the assignment he has given us.

    “The candidate wrote to us, as the administrative arm of the party, on the choice of his running mate.

    “Various organs of the party are well represented in his committee —NWC, Governors Forum, National Assembly, former governors which have put forward their candidate

    “This deliberation will be chaired by my able Deputy, Ambassador Umaru Damagum

    “I wish you a successful deliberation and I hope you come up with a conclusion between tomorrow and Friday.

    “Our presidential candidate, this time, has decided to carry everybody along unlike 2019 when he didn’t consult widely in his choice of running mate.”

    The meeting, which is ongoing, has the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Aminu Tambuwal; Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed; Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom; former Senate President, David Mark; former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko; former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, and Senator Philip Aduda among others, in attendance.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has given parties till Friday to submit names of their presidential candidates and their running mates.