PDP Suspends Fayose, Anyim As Ortom Faces Disciplinary Committee

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended former Senate President, Anyim Pius, and former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, and two others from the party over alleged anti-party activities.

The party announced this in a statement on Thursday by its spokesperson, Dele Ologunagba, after a meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja.

Also suspended are Dennis Ityavyar from Benue State and Aslam Aliyu from Zamfara State.

It also referred the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, to its disciplinary committee for alleged anti-party activities.

The statement said, “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.

Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State)

Sen. Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State)

Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State)

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.”

Ortom, who is billed to face the party’s disciplinary committee, is not only a member of the G-5 governors but also worked against the party during the presidential election.

The G-5 governors, led by Governor Nyesom Wike, are demanding the resignation of the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, to balance the party’s leadership structure.

The APC’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, won in Benue.

Although the party did not state their offences, it is believed that Anyim and Fayose were also suspended for alleged anti-party activities.

Anyim reportedly backed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in his native Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, in the March 18 election against the PDP candidate, Ifeanyi Odii.

He explained that he supported Nwifuru because of the “existing charter of equity” in the state.

Fayose, whose son was expelled from the PDP, supported Tinubu and not his party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.