The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied the alleged suspension of its National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
In a quick response, the party in a statement signed by Debo Ologunagba, its spokesman, described it “fake news.”
The statement said, “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a fictitious report being circulated in a section of the social media suggesting that the National Chairman of our great party, His Excellency Sen Dr lyorchia Ayu, has been suspended by the NWC
“Such report is completely false and a product of the imagination of mischief makers with the intent to destabilize our Party, create an impression of crisis within our ranks and mislead the unsuspecting members of the public.”
It added, “It is clear that the false report is the handiwork of vicious anti-people forces who are agitated by the stability, unity and soaring popularity of our Party under the cohesive Sen Dr. Ayu led National Working Committee as well as the intimidating statures of our Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar and His Excellency, Sen Dr.Ifeanyi Okowa respectively.”
Clarifying, the statement said, “Our National Chainman Sen Dr lyarchia Ayu is on a short vacation outside of the country and he officially transmitted power to the Deputy National Chairman (North) His Excellency Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, to perform his duties in Acting Capacity pending his return in line with the provision of the Comititution of the PDP 2017 (amended).
The statement said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was duly informed on the absence of our National Chairman and that Damagun will be performing the duties of the National Chairman in Acting capacity pending Ayu’s return.
While stating that Ayu remains the National Chairman of the party, it urged all members and supporters to disregard the said report as “fake news.”