Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the national chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), has resigned from his position as party leader.
The Deputy National Chairman (North), Umar Iliya Damagum, took over for Ayu.
While the court case is being resolved, Damagum will take over as the PDP's acting national chairman.
Recall that a High Court in Makurdi, the capital of Benue state, barred embattled Ayu from posing as the party's chairman until the outcome of the substantive suit, whose hearing has been postponed until April 17, 2023.
After obtaining the court order, the plaintiff spoke to journalists in Makurdi and stated that it is wrong for Ayu to continue holding the position of national chairman and further splinter the party after being suspended by his Igyorov Ward Exco on Sunday.
After the party lost the presidential election, Ayu was suspended late last week for anti-party activities.
Before this development, there had been fervent calls for Ayu to step down so that a Southerner could become the party's chairman.
