AYU AVOIDS DISMISSAL AFTER THE NEC PASSES A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE PARTY'S NWC

Following the crisis that engulfed the opposition party following the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for 2023 in May, there have been calls for Mr Ayu's resignation or removal.

The Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) National Executive Council has voted to support the party's National Working Committee (NWC) Tyorchia Ayu, the party's National Chairman, presides over the NWC.

The NWC received a vote of confidence on Thursday in Abuja.

This was a follow-up to the passage of a motion on a vote of confidence introduced by House Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu.

Mr Elumelu, who proposed the motion, praised Mr Ayu and the NWC for their perseverance in delivering Osun State to the party in the state's governorship election on July 18.

He also praised the NWC for its maturity, despite some members' disagreements.

"We've decided...because the NWC has done so well," he explained. "I move that a vote of confidence be presented to the NWC for their tenacity, forthrightness, and professionalism, particularly in providing us with Osun State, and I believe they will provide us with Nigeria by 2023," Mr Elumelu said.

Ishola Balogun-Fulani, an APC defector, seconded his motion. Adolphus Wabara, the acting chairman of the party's Board of Trustees, then put the motion to a voice vote, which was unanimously approved.

The vote of confidence comes amid a crisis within the party, with some disgruntled members, led by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, calling for Mr Ayu's resignation.