The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended Ayo Fayose, former governor of Ekiti, over alleged anti-party activities.
The PDP also suspended Anyim Pius Anyim, former secretary to the government of the federation, Ibrahim Shema, former governor of Katsina state, and two others over the same allegation.
Other suspended members are Dennis Ityavyar (Benue) and Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara).
The NWC said Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue, has been referred to a disciplinary committee.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, said the decision to refer Ortom to the national disciplinary committee over his alleged involvement in anti-party activities was taken after a “very extensive review of the affairs of our party in the country and pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017)”.
The party’s spokesperson said the suspension of the five members was with immediate effect.
The statement read: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has after very extensive review of the affairs of our Party in the country and pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) referred the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.
“The NWC also approved the suspension of the following from the Party with effect from today, Thursday, March 23, 2023.
1. Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State)
2. Ibrahim Shema (Katsina)
3. Sen. Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State)
4. Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State)
5. Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State)
“The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party across the country to remain united and focused at this critical time.”.
Fayose’s suspension comes days after he mocked Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto, for losing the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 18 governorship election.
He had also said anyone planning to “unseat” President-elect, Bola Tinubu through the court is “daydreaming”.
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the PDP, is challenging Tinubu’s victory in the court.
In a follow up to his claim on Thursday, Fayose defended his support for Ahmed Bola Tinubu , presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25th general election.
Speaking on ARISE TV, Fayose said, it was a corporate decision of the G5 Governors to support a southern candidate because the PDP refused to honor the power rotation agreement that should have given its 2023 presidential ticket to a southerner.
He added that the PDP’s failure to honor the zoning agreement resulted in the departure of Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and others, who significantly reduced the party’s vote in the recently concluded election.
He commended Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), for his bravery and performance I’m the poll.
Fayose said Peter Obi was able to do something no other politician had done in recent times.
According to him, Peter Obi was successful in exposing the challenges and shortcomings of Nigeria’s political system.
“Obi came like a hurricane and did what no one has done, he exposed everyone. Our leaders are products of the Nigerian society, The system is sick and no candidate is innocent”, he said.
Fayose called for a thorough examination of the Nigerian system at all levels, claiming that change would be impossible until this was done.
He said the outcome of the 2023 election cannot be placed solely on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the commission is a reflection of the Nigerian system’s failure.
Fayose blamed Nigeria’s “weak” system, from the judiciary to national security agencies and the media, and urged Nigerians to stop pointing accusing fingers.
DIPLOMATIC DIARY reports that Anyim had declared support for Francis Nwifuru, APC governor-elect in Ebonyi, days before the governorship poll in the state.
