PDP Crisis: Ortom, Wike, Makinde, Others Snub Ayu’s Delegate At Benue PDP Campaign Kickoff

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, on Monday, refused to attend the flag-off of the party’s Benue State re-election campaign in Makurdi.

The Publisher Nigeria gathered that Ayu instead sent the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Umar Damagun, to represent him at the flag-off of the campaign.

 

Recall that some aggrieved governors in the ruling PDP have maintained their calls for the removal or resignation of Ayu as party chairman.

The aggrieved governors, popularly known as the G-5, include Nyesom Wike, Rivers; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu; Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia; Seyi Makinde, Oyo and Ortom.

They are backed by Donald Duke, Jonah Jang, Ibrahim Dakwanmbo, Segun Mimiko, Ayo Fayose, former governors of Cross River, Plateau, Gombe, Ondo, and Ekiti states, respectively, as well as Chief Olabode George, Professor Jerry Gana, Mohammed Adoke amongst others.

The aggrieved party members had also pulled out of the PDP presidential campaign until their demands are met.

It was gathered that despite their feud, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, sent a formal invitation to the National Chairman last week.

A top-ranking party member familiar with the development said, “The National Chairman was formally invited. It is his state. He sent the Deputy National Chairman (North), Umar Damagun, to represent him.”

However, another party official at the flag-off ceremony disclosed that Damagun, who represented Ayu, was shunned when speakers were invited to speak at the campaign flag-off.

The source said, “Damagun was there quite alright, but he was not given any opportunity to either speak to the crowd or deliver the National Chairman’s message, which we understand was deliberate because of the prevailing situation in the party.”