The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lifted the recent suspension imposed on former governors of Katsina and Ekiti states, Ibrahim Shema and Ayodele Fayose, respectively, as well as Senator Pius Anyim, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, and Dr. Aslam Aliyu. The party also reversed the directive for Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State to appear before a Disciplinary Committee for alleged anti-party activities.
The decision was announced by the party’s National Working Committee after a meeting in Abuja. The PDP also stressed the importance of reconciliation among its members, saying that the decision to reverse the suspension was without prejudice to the powers of the NWC to take necessary disciplinary action against any member of the party at any time.
Last week, the five party leaders were suspended by the PDP under the national chairmanship of Dr Iyorchia Ayu. Ayu was later suspended by his party at the ward level, and a Benue State High Court barred him from parading himself as national chairman of PDP.
The deputy national chairman of the party (North), Umar Damagum, statutorily emerged acting national chairman, under whose watch the suspension orders were reversed. Ayu has vowed to challenge and vacate the court order.
In a statement, the national publicity secretary of PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said that the party recognized the need for a total reconciliation among party leaders and critical stakeholders for a more cohesive party in the overall interest of its members and Nigerians in general.
He charged all party leaders, critical stakeholders, and members across the country to be guided by the provisions of the PDP Constitution as well as the new spirit and necessity of reconciliation, unity, and harmony in the party. The PDP remains focused on taking every necessary action to recover the stolen mandate freely given by Nigerians to its party and presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal