Tunde Sholanke
The Peoples Democratic Party,PDP,Thursday,reversed the suspension of former governors of Katsina state, Ibrahim Shema, Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose and former President of the Senate, Senator Pius Anyim.
The action came barely 48 hours Umar Damagum took over as acting national chairman of the party following the sack of its former chairman,Senator Iyorcha Ayu.
The party also lifted the suspension of Prof. Dennis Ityavyar,Benue State and Dr. Aslam Aliyu ,Zamfara State,as well as reversed the referral of the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee.
This was the first decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) under Damagum, who took over the affairs of PDP in acting capacity.
In a statement by its spokesman,lHon Debo Ologunagba,the party explained that its decision to reverse the suspension of its members was sequel to extensive discussion of the recent developments in the party.
The party said: “The NWC recognized the imperativeness of a total reconciliation among Party leaders and critical stakeholders for a more cohesive party in the overall interest of our teeming members and Nigerians in general.
“Consequent upon the above, the NWC reverses the referral of the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee.
“The NWC in the same vein reverses the suspension of the following members of our great Party: H.E Ibrahim Shema (Katsina State), Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State), Sen. Pius Anyim (Ebonyi State), Prof. Dennis Ityavyar (Benue State) and Dr. Aslam Aliyu (Zamfara State).
“This decision is without prejudice to the powers of the NWC to take necessary disciplinary action against any member of the Party at any time pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party across the country to be guided by the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) as well as the new spirit and necessity of reconciliation, unity and harmony in our Party at this critical time.
“The PDP must remain focused as we continue to take every necessary action to recover the stolen mandate freely given by Nigerians to our Party and Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday February 25, 2023, at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.”