A former President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, has emerged as the new National Chairman of the opposition party Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Senator Ayu, a consensus candidate for the position, took over the leadership of the main opposition party alongside 20 others elected into various positions within the PDP National Working Committee.
The new set of leaders were elected at the party’s national convention which began on Saturday and lasted till the early morning of Sunday.
Hundreds of party delegates participated in the election of the new national officers at Eagle Square in Abuja.
While announcing the results of the elections, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State said: “very significantly is for me to have the privilege as the Chief Returning Officer of the 2021 PDP National Convention Election Chairman to announce and declare His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Iyorchia Ayu as duly elected and returned National Chairman of our great party,”
Shortly after he was announced as the new chairman, Senator Ayu walked downed to the podium in company with some governors in the party to give a brief remark.
The elated new chairman said, “I want to sincerely appreciate the PDP family,” “Today is simply a thank you address. When we started this party 23 – 24 years ago, we never in any way imagined that the journey will get us to this stage, a stage where we ruled for 16 years, we went into rough times but for anybody who will bother to see, PDP is back.
“And it is back to rescue Nigeria from the terrible mess we have been in the last six years. I want to appreciate all of you who have taken time as delegates, as observers, as supporters, as members of the media, as members of the security services, who have made this event such a wonderful event.”