PDP kicks Wike, suspends Anyim, Fayose, and Shema

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended with immediate effect former federation secretary Anyim Pius Anyim, former governors of Ekiti and Kastina states, Ayodele Fayose, Ibrahim Shema, Dennis Ityavyar, and Aslam Aliyu from its chapters in Benue and Zamfara, respectively.

In a statement released by the party’s national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, yesterday, it was said that the National Working Committee’s resolution included suspending the party chieftains (NWC).

The governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, was cited by the PDP National Disciplinary Committee for alleged anti-party acts, it was further stated.

“The PDP NWC has referred the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, to the National Disciplinary Committee over his alleged involvement in anti-party activities after very thoroughly reviewing the affairs of our party in the nation and in accordance with the provisions of the party constitution (as amended in 2017). Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State), Ibrahim Shema, Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State), Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State), and Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State) were all approved to be suspended from the party by the NWC with effect from today, March 23, 2023.

Unlike Anyim, who supported the APC in Ebonyi State’s governorship election last Saturday, Ortom and Fayose are both members of the PDP integrity group, which is led by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and has been at odds with the leadership of the main opposition party.

Ortom won’t appear before the national disciplinary committee, according to Governor Wike.

He spoke yesterday at the Government House in Port Harcourt and called the NWC’s suspension of Fayose and others for anti-party activities a nullity.

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Iyorchia Ayu, the alleged party chairman, Sam Anyanwu, the national secretary, and other members of the NWC cannot suspend Fayose, not to mention refer Ortom to the national disciplinary committee, he said. “I want to state clearly and let members of the party and Nigerians hear it clearly,” he said.

The NWC’s choice to submit Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee was deemed by Governor Wike to be the greatest possible insult.

The highest kind of insult is to refer a governor to your so-called national disciplinary committee, and we will not accept it. Therefore, in terms of this our party, be prepared for whatever you see,” warned Wike. He claimed that Ayu, whom he accused of violating the PDP constitution regarding the zoning of elected and appointive offices, deserved to be suspended from the party if anyone did.

Governor Wike warned Ayu and the NWC to stop threatening to suspend the G-5 governors and Integrity Group participants.

He claims that Ayu’s recent action has started a new round of political fighting within the party.

“None of us can be imprisoned. Ortom won’t show up in front of any members of your alleged disciplinary body. Also, Fayose will never go before a disciplinary commission, the speaker declared.