The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated further on Friday as a faction, known as the Integrity Group, announced the appointment of Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the party’s acting National Chairman. This development follows a series of suspensions of top party officials, deepening the leadership struggle within the party.
Earlier in the day, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, suspended the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, and National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, accusing them of engaging in anti-party activities.
In a swift response, another faction of the NWC issued a statement through Ologunagba, announcing the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Sam Anyanwu for similar reasons. This group, which represents the Integrity faction, made it clear that they were moving forward with their own leadership.
According to Ologunagba, the appointment of Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the new acting National Chairman is effective immediately, and the decision was made in accordance with the party’s amended constitution of 2017.
The official statement reads, “Following the suspension of His Excellency, Ambassador Illiya Damagum as the Acting National Chairman of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Working Committee (NWC) has approved the appointment of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the Acting National Chairman.
“The appointment which takes immediate effect is pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).”
The statement further urged party members to stay united as the NWC prepares for the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024. The leadership dispute appears far from over as both factions continue to assert their claims to control within the party, raising concerns about its future direction.
