A Makurdi High Court, has adjourned the suit seeking to remove the embattled national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, to April 28, 2023.

It will be recalled that Ayu was suspended by the PDP ward executives of his Igyorov ward of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, after passing a vote of no confidence in him.

Justice Kpochi had on March 27th, 2023, issued an interim order restraining Dr. Ayu from parading himself as the National Chairman of the PDP, pending the hearing and determination of Suit No.MHC/85/2023, filed by a member of the PDP, Engr. Conrad Terhide Utaan, seeking to remove Ayu as National Chairman of the party following his suspension by his ward executive.

When the matter came up on Monday, counsel to Dr. Ayu, J.J Usman SAN, informed the court that he was withdrawing Ayu’s preliminary objection and counter affidavit to the suit, filed on April 3rd, 2023.

He also informed parties in the matter that he will be returning the case file to the Chief Judge of Benue state to reassign to another judge as he is embarking on a national assignment at the elections petitions tribunal.

Suit No. MHC/85/2023, filed by Engr. Utaan, seeks among other reliefs, a declaration that, Dr. Ayu is no longer fit and qualified to hold office as the national chairman of the PDP, having lost membership of the party in his Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko LGA, where he first registered as a member of the party.

It also seeks a declaration that Ayu cannot hold himself out, function and preside over the affairs of the PDP as its national chairman having seized to enjoy all the rights and privileges of membership by virtue of his suspension by the ward executive committee of the party in his Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko Local Government where he use to be a member of the party.

It further seeks an order restraining Ayu from parading himself as the national chairman of the PDP having lost membership of the party, amongst other reliefs. (Daily Sun)