The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu has been suspended by the party.

The suspension of Dr. Ayu was effected by the Ward Executive of the party in Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state.

Addressing the media Sunday, on behalf of Kashi Philip, the Ward Chairman, the Ward Secretary Mr. Vangeryina Dooyum explained that Dr. Ayu was suspended by the Executive for alleged anti party activities.

Reading from a text signed by 12 out of the 17 member Ward Executive, the Secretary stated that the decision to suspend the National Chairman was reached after the leadership reviewed his conduct at the end of the just concluded general elections.

Flanked by the Chairman and other members, the Secretary said, “we observed with utmost dismay that, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu who is the National Chairman of the PDP worked against the success of the party in Igyorov Council Ward.

“It is on record that, he has also failed to pay his Annual Subscription Fees as provided under Section 8 (9) of the constitution of the PDP 2017 (As Amended).

“Further investigation also revealed that, he did not vote during the Governorship and State Assembly Elections held on  March 18, 2023.

“It was also discovered that, most of his closest allies worked for the opposition party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, and hence, the abysmal performance of the PDP in Igyorov Ward.

“In view of the foregoing, we hereby pass a Vote of No Confidence on Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and suspend him as a member of our party with immediate effect. The suspension takes effect from March 24, 2023.”

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria says his appointment of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela as the Minister of Finance and Prof Chukwuma Soludo as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria was the best he made during his administration.

Obasanjo said this on Saturday while speaking at the first year anniversary of Soludo as the Governor of Anambra in Awka.

He said he had no doubt in Soludo’s capacity to deliver in his new assignment.

Obasanjo stated, “When I appointed Soludo as my economic adviser, I worked with him very well and I was highly impressed with him so I chose to appoint him the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and he was one governor of CBN that was not from the commercial bank and he performed wonderfully well.

“I appointed Soludo and Okonjo-Iweala and I think probably that of all the appointments that I made while in office these two appointments were the best.”

He said he was accused of ruining the country because of his appointment of the two technocrats who were from the South-East by those who had “Igbophobia”.

He however pointed out that they performed creditably.

He said Soludo did well as CBN governor, while blaming the current crisis on the inability of the apex bank to function as the development bank that it should be.

He said, “Central Bank is not like a commercial bank. The Central Bank is for development and part of the problem we have suffered in the past, and we are suffering today, is that the Central Bank has not performed its job as a development bank as it should have.”

Also, addressing the issue of Nigerians travelling overseas for greener pastures, the former president said “When we develop our human capacity for export, it is not a waste. In fact, the experience they bring back, the outreach they get, the intellectual property they bring home and of course the money they bring back home are very important. East or West, home is the best, and they will be looking forward to coming back home.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it would start issuing Certificates of Return to Governors-elect, Deputy Governors-elect and States Assembly members as from Wednesday to Friday this week.

Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this in a statement in the early hours of Sunday.

He said the Commission met on Saturday 25th March 2023 and deliberated on a wide range of issues including the issuance of Certificates of Return to those elected during the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections conducted by the Commission on 18th March 2023.

According to him, by the provisions of Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, the Commission is mandated to issue a certificate of return within 14 days to every candidate who has been returned elected under the law.

“Pursuant to the above provision, the Commission has fixed Wednesday 29th, Thursday 30th and Friday 31st March 2023 for the issuance of certificates of return to Governors and Deputy Governors-elect as well as State Assembly members-elect. The presentation will take place in INEC offices in each State of the Federation

“Specific dates for the issuance of the certificates shall be communicated to those elected by the Resident Electoral Commissioners and Administrative Secretaries of the various States”, Okoye added.