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The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated yesterday as Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, the party’s National Treasurer, announced his assumption of duties as acting national chairman.
Although he has yet to make an appearance at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, Mohammed confirmed through a public statement that he has taken over, following backing from a faction within the National Working Committee (NWC).
Defying a recent Abuja High Court ruling that restrains any party faction from removing Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum, Mohammed declared his commitment to fulfilling the duties of his new position.
The court order, issued to uphold Damagum’s leadership until his tenure ends in December next year, was seemingly disregarded in this power struggle.
Further heightening the tension, Mohammed announced the opening of applications for the position of National Chairman, specifically seeking candidates from the North-Central zone, as the former chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, hails from Benue State in the region.
The party’s crisis intensified on Thursday when the NWC suspended National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba.
Shortly after, both suspended officials countered by declaring that Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu had been removed from their posts and that Yayari Mohammed was now appointed acting chairman.
In his acceptance statement, Mohammed emphasized a vision of restoring PDP’s principles of fairness and justice, pledging to revitalize the party’s role as an effective opposition.
He added that he would lead the NWC according to the party’s constitution and work to unite members.
In his first action, he called on the North-Central zone to nominate a candidate to succeed Ayu, which will be reviewed at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on October 24.
A statement by Mohammed titled: “Acceptance of appointment as Acting National Chairman of our party,” said he has replaced Damagum as acting chairman.
The statement reads: “The domestic events within our party in the last few days call for deep reflection about the management of the PDP, especially at this crucial time in our nation, particularly as it relates to our role as an opposition party and general management as a constitution compliant party in the true spirit of the mission and vision of the founding fathers which are equity, fairness and justice.
“I am humbled and grateful by the numerous messages of solidarity, support and best wishes received from members of our party across the country.
“The enthusiasm and relief expressed revealed the desire and determination of our members to see a PDP that is strong, democratic and based on strict adherence to its Constitution.
“Regrettably, we must admit that we have not satisfactorily carried out the critical role expected of a virile opposition in a democracy.
“This it has been observed is a result of conflict of interests – personal or political – elevated above party interest, which continues to have a debilitating effect on the ability of our party to perform effectively at various levels, particularly at the national level.
“This state of affairs continues to affect the performance and viability of our party to perform its role as expected as a platform which Nigerians have come to admire and look up to in view of the robust Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017 ) and the monumental achievements of the party in the 16 years in government, which period is referred to with nostalgia as the golden years of governance in Nigeria.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, desirous of revamping the party in line with the vision of its founding fathers, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, appointed me as the Acting National Chairman to lead the charge to rekindle the hope and aspiration of our teeming members especially the youths, critical stakeholders and generality of Nigerians who wish to see a political party that is ready and willing to play the role of effective opposition in the quest to develop our democracy and seek for responsible and responsive government in our country.
“The NWC under my leadership will be guided strictly by the constitution of our party and I will at all times be fair to all members irrespective of their status, position or state in the party.
“Only this will guarantee and engender loyalty and commitment of our teeming members.
“In this regard, my primary goal, focus and mandate in the onerous assignment is to restore the confidence of our members by immediately setting in motion the process to hold the long overdue National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of our party already scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024.
“In line with the provision of our party’s constitution, the Northcentral Zone which is constitutionality entitled to produce a replacement to serve out the tenure of the former National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, is hereby requested to urgently meet and forward its nominee to my office for necessary preparation and forwarding for consideration and approval by NEC at the October 24, 2024 meeting.
“I hereby seek and solicit the co-operation, support and advice from my colleagues NWC members, all organs of the party, especially the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), National Assembly Caucus as well as leaders, critical stakeholders and members towards a successful NEC meeting that we can all be proud of.”
The PDP’s Acting National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Ahmed Abdullahi Manga, dismissed claims surrounding the factional leadership’s actions, describing the idea of their influence as “daydreaming.”
He went further to refute rumors that PDP governors backed the suspension of Ambassador Umar Damagum, labeling such assertions as “lies from the pit of hell.”
Amid escalating internal conflicts, factional leaders Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, Debo Ologunagba, and Kamaldeen Ajibade have yet to visit the PDP headquarters, nor have they acknowledged the recent Abuja court order that confirmed Damagum’s position as acting national chairman until the December 2025 national convention.
Meanwhile, Ikenga Ugochinyere, a House of Representatives member, voiced support for Mohammed’s proactive approach, asserting that his group’s commitment to reforming the party would be beneficial.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, appearing on a televised program, Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, painted a grim picture of the PDP’s future, citing leadership conflicts and persistent disunity.
He also urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon his presidential aspirations, noting that by the time the next election cycle arrives, Atiku will be around 81.
Fayose said, “I’m sure Atiku Abubakar will stay away from elective office politics. By the time Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will finish, Atiku will be around 80 to 81 years old. So, what will be the attraction?”
Atiku has previously run for president on the PDP platform in both 2019 and 2023 and has indicated interest in competing again in 2027.
Fayose, however, suggested it might be time for him to bow out, saying, “We should leave the stage when the ovation is loudest. I respect him and I think Nigerians are craving for younger generations more than before.”
He continued by critiquing the party’s current disarray, stating, “We can defeat a party, but when we don’t have a party, how shall we talk about defeat? As it stands, the party is gone.
“When the head is sick, the whole body is gone. This party will need God’s intervention; a miracle for the party to be put together again.
“In this instance, the party is not helping matters. When was the last time this party had a NEC meeting? When was the last time we sat down to talk together? When was the last time we sat together?
“We only hear of people being suspended, people going their ways, people exiting the party. It’s very, very unfortunate.”
Reflecting on the causes of PDP’s present turmoil, Fayose blamed past leadership missteps and a disregard for transparency, lamenting that a party that doesn’t respect truth, equity, and justice cannot stand against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections.
He said: “It has been difficult to find a way out of the quagmire of disunity within the party because the party is not sitting on truth, equity, and fairness.”
According to him, PDP’s struggles stem from unresolved grievances, which have now come back to haunt it.
Expressing disappointment over the public embarrassment brought about by internal suspensions and counter-suspensions, Fayose warned that the party’s current approach could drive it into irrelevance.
He said: “The current situation in our party has made a mockery of suspension and counter-suspension, especially at that level of leadership.
“Sadly, the current situation of the party has taken the party so low causing embarrassment.”
