Yesterday, the internal crisis in the party intensified with the announcement of the National Treasury Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, as acting national chairman.
Although Mr. Muhammad has not yet appeared at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, he confirmed in an official statement that he was sworn in with the support of a faction within the National Working Committee (NWC).
Contrary to the recent Abuja High Court ruling that restrained any party from removing the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, Mr. Muhammad expressed his determination to fulfill the responsibilities of his new position.
A court order issued to maintain Damagum’s leadership until the end of his term next December has apparently been ignored in this power struggle.
Further escalating tensions, Mr. Muhammad announced that he would open applications for the national chairmanship, specifically seeking candidates from the North-Central region, as the former chairman, Senator Iyorukia Ayu, hails from Benue State in the region. did.
The crisis in the party worsened on Thursday when the NWC suspended the National Legal Adviser, Mr Kamaludeen Ajibade, and the National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba.
Shortly thereafter, both suspended officials fired Mr. Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and fired back, declaring that Mr. Yayari Mohammed had been appointed acting chairman.
In his acceptance statement, Mr. Muhammad emphasized the PDP’s vision to restore the principles of impartiality and justice and vowed to reinvigorate the party’s role as an effective opposition party.
He added that he would lead the NWC in accordance with the party constitution and strive for unity among party members.
As a first action, he called on the North-Central region to nominate a candidate to replace Mr. Ayu to be considered at the October 24 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
In a statement titled “I accept my appointment as acting national chairman of my party,” Muhammad said he would replace Damagum as acting chairman.
The statement reads: “The events within our party over the past few days call for deep reflection on the management of the PDP, especially as it relates to our role as an opposition party and our overall management, especially at this critical juncture in our country. As a constitutionally compliant political party in the true spirit of our Founding Fathers’ mission and vision of fairness, fairness, and justice.
“I am humbled and grateful for the many messages of solidarity, support and well-wishes I have received from members of our party across the country.
“The enthusiasm and relief expressed revealed the desire and determination of party members to see a strong and democratic PDP based on strict adherence to the constitution.
“Unfortunately, we must admit that we have not been able to fully fulfill the important role expected of a vigorous opposition party in a democracy.
“It has been observed that this is the result of personal or political conflicts of interest that go beyond the party’s interests, which undermines our party’s ability to operate effectively at various levels, especially at the national level. It continues to weaken us.”
“This state of affairs is a testament to the track record and survival of our party, which, in view of the strong constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), fulfills expectations as a platform that Nigerians have come to admire and respect. The party’s monumental achievements during its 16 years in power are fondly referred to as the golden era of Nigerian governance.
“Desiring to reform the party in line with the vision of our founding fathers, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, appointed me the National Chairman with the responsibility of rekindling hope. We have appointed an effective opposition party to support many of our members, especially young people, key stakeholders, and to develop our democracy and demand an accountable and responsive government. It is the desire of Nigerians in general to want a political party that is ready and willing to play a role in our country.
“The NWC under my leadership will be guided strictly by the party constitution and I will always remain fair to all members, regardless of their rank, position or state within the party.
“Only this will guarantee and engender the loyalty and dedication of our numerous members.
“In this regard, my main goal, focus and task in this difficult task is to complete the process of convening the long-awaited National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of our party, which is already scheduled for Thursday. By starting immediately, we must restore the confidence of party members.”, October 24, 2024.
“In line with the provisions of our party’s constitution, the North-Central Zone, where it is constitutional to field a successor to complete the term of the former National Chairman, Senator Iyorukia Ayu, has urgently met and proposed a candidate. I am hereby requested to forward the person to my party” Secretariat to make the necessary preparations and forwarding for consideration and approval by the NEC at its meeting on October 24, 2024.
“I hereby seek and solicit the cooperation, support and advice of my fellow NWC members, all organs of the party, especially the PDP Governors Forum, Board of Trustees (BoT), Parliamentary Caucus and key leaderships. ”I look forward to working together with all involved parties and members to make the NEC Conference a success that we can all be proud of. ”
The Acting National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Ahmed Abdullahi Manga, dismissed the allegations surrounding the actions of the faction leadership, describing the idea of its influence as a “daydream”.
He further refuted rumors that the PDP governors were supporting the suspension of Ambassador Umaru Damagum, branding such claims as “lies from the pits of hell”.
As internal conflicts intensify, faction leaders Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, Debo Ologunagba and Kamaluddin Ajibade have not yet visited the PDP headquarters, and Damagumu’s leadership is pending until the national convention in December 2025. It also does not recognize the recent Abuja court order confirming his status as Acting National Chairman.
Meanwhile, Member of the House of Representatives Ikenga Ugotinyere expressed support for Mr. Mohammed’s proactive approach, insisting that his group’s efforts to reform the party were beneficial.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, appeared on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics and painted a grim picture of the future of the PDP, citing conflict in the leadership and deep-rooted discord.
He also urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to give up his presidential ambitions, noting that Atiku would be around 81 years old by the time the next election cycle arrives.
Mr. Fayose said, “I am sure that Mr. Atiku Abubakar will stay away from elected politics. By the time Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is over, Atiku will be around 80-81 years old. Is it attractive?”
Atiku has previously run for president on the PDP platform in both 2019 and 2023, and has expressed interest in running again in 2027.
But Fayose suggested it might be time to take a bow, saying: “You should leave the stage when the applause is loudest. I respect him and I think Nigerians are more aware of the younger generation than ever before. I think I’m longing for it.”
He went on to criticize the current confusion in the party, saying, “You can defeat the party, but if you don’t have a party, how can you talk about defeat?If things continue like this, there will be no party.
“When the head is sick, the whole body is lost. This party will need divine intervention. A miracle that will bring the party back together.
“In this case, the party has not resolved the issue. When was the last time this party had an NEC meeting? When was the last time they sat and talked together? Last time they sat together When is it?
“All we hear about is people who have been suspended, people who have moved on, people who have left the party. It’s very, very unfortunate.”
Reflecting on the causes of the current turmoil in the PDP, Mr. Fayose blamed the failures of past leaders and their disregard for transparency, saying that any party that does not respect truth, fairness and justice will not be able to stand up to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections. He lamented that he was unable to compete with
He said: “It is difficult to find a way out of the quagmire of internal discord because the party does not value truth, fairness and justice.”
According to him, the PDP’s struggles stemmed from unresolved grievances, which have now resurfaced and plagued the PDP.
Mr. Fayos expressed disappointment at the public embarrassment caused by the internal and counter-suspensions, warning that the party’s current approach could drive it into irrelevance.
“The current situation in our party makes suspension and counter-suspension a mockery, especially at that level of leadership,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the current state of the party has seriously weakened the party’s standing and is embarrassing.”
