The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu has stepped aside from his position.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Ayu was replaced on Tuesday by the Deputy National Chairman, (North) Umar Iliya Damagum.

This newspaper gathered that Damagum will assume office in acting capacity pending the determination of a court case related to the suspension of Ayu.

Recall that Ayu was suspended by his ward in Benue State on Sunday.

Prior to this development, there had been intense calls (since 2022) led by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for Ayu to step aside for a Southerner to take over as the Chairman of Nigeria’s main opposition party.

Ayu’s removal as chairman is one of the key demands of party supporters sympathetic to Wike, as a condition for peace to return to the party.

The camp loyal to Wike had demanded that Ayu should step down to re-tilt the balance of power in the party which they claim is favouring the North.