PDP chieftain whose court case led to suspension of Iyorchia Ayu joins party’s chairmanship race

A chieftain of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Terhile Conrad Utaan, whose court case led to Dr Iyorchia Ayu’s suspension, has joined the party’s chairmanship race.

Utaan sued Dr Ayu at a Makurdi High Court and obtained an interim injunction restraining him from claiming to be the PDP National Chairman after his Igyorov Ward Exco suspended him.

The suit eventually led to the suspension and removal of Ayu from office.

In a statement yesterday, Utaan said: “I will be addressing a world press conference to formally announce my bid for National Chairman of the PDP on Thursday, March 21, at the Benue State secretariat of the party after a meeting with the State Working Committee of the PDP.

“Within the week, my media team will release an itinerary of my engagements for the weeks ahead, where I intend to consult the leaders of the party within the state before I embark on my national tour.

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“It is my hope that in the next few days, during my engagements, I will be seeking the support of blessings of the following leaders of the party in the state: His Excellency, Chief Samuel Ortom, Distinguished Senator David Mark, Distinguished Senator Abba Moro, Distinguished Senator Gabriel Suswam, Titus Uba, Sir John Ngbede, and a host of others.

“The time to rebuild and regrow the PDP is now, and it is my desire to provide that leadership.

“I am qualified, I am competent, I am capable to provide the energy required to pull our great party out of the shadows of 2023.”

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Utaan, who hails from Guma Local Government Area, is the second Benue indigene to have indicated interest in replacing Dr. Ayu as PDP National Chairman.

The first is former governor and Senator Gabriel Torwua Suswam.