The path for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to appoint a permanent national chairman has been cleared, following the withdrawal of a lawsuit by its former National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, who was contesting his removal from office.
Reports indicate that Ayu is now supporting his fellow townsman, Gabriel Suswam, the former governor of Benue, his home state, to become the party’s permanent Chairman.
Ayu, who was suspended from his position in 2023, had been ordered by a High Court in Makurdi to refrain from presenting himself as the office holder. His ongoing challenge to this removal was said to have hindered the party’s efforts to appoint a permanent national chairman.
On April 15, a notice of withdrawal of appeal, labeled CA/MK/88/2024 SUIT NO: MHC/85/2023, was made public. The Court of Appeal of Nigeria in Makurdi announced that Ayu has withdrawn the appeal against the respondents, which he filed on June 27, 2023.
The G60 PDP lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly have praised Sen. Iyorchia Ayu for his decision to withdraw the lawsuit. They noted that this action has effectively allowed the Acting Chairman, Umar Damagun, to step down, paving the way for him to hand over to North Central.
The G60 PDP lawmakers, led by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere Ideato Rep, stated that Ayu’s action has eliminated the final obstacle and justification used by Damagun to cling to power, and has opened the door for the acting chairman to return to his position as Deputy Chairman.
During a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the lawmakers insisted that, despite the schemes of those they referred to as “rogues in the party working for the All Progressive Congress, APC,” Damagun’s resignation is inevitable.
