The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is exacerbated by the new faction’s acting national chairman, Yayari Mohammed, who has accused the rival National Working Committee (NWC) led by Umar Damagum of posing a security threat to the faction. They have filed objections to deal with the issue, and there is no sign of it stopping.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Damagum-led NWC’s Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, warned of possible security measures that could be enacted against the Muhammad group.
He stressed the need to uphold the rule of law amid the ongoing conflict that has deeply polarized the party since 2022.
The crisis escalated on Friday when the national leadership of the PDP split into two factions, with Yayari Mohammed and Umar Damagum assuming the helm of their respective factions.
The split followed the suspension of the party’s National Legal Advisor, Mr. Adeyemi Ajibade, and the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, by the Damagum faction during the 593rd NWC meeting.
Following the leadership turmoil, Mr. Abdullahi and Mr. Okechukwu Osuoha were appointed to replace the suspended officials.
However, the situation deteriorated further when President Ologunagba announced the suspension of Mr. Damagumu and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu over several complaints.
Further complicating matters, the Federal High Court in Abuja on the same day issued a judgment restraining the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Board of Governors from removing Mr. Damagum as Acting National Chairman.
Delivering the judgment via Zoom, Justice Peter Riff ordered that Damagum should be the only acting national chairman of the PDP until the party’s national convention scheduled for December 2025.
Abdullahi referred to the court order in a press conference and warned Mohammedans not to abide by the ruling, which legitimizes Damagum’s position. He stressed the importance of adhering to legal decisions to maintain stability within the party.
“We must ensure that certain actions are based on the party’s constitution and not on the basis of emotions or personal interests,” he said.
“In the face of this reckless violation of existing court orders, we are left with no choice but to deploy the services of security agencies to enforce the rule of law.”
Abdullahi said that to strengthen the learning process of party leadership and management, party members must ensure that their actions are not influenced by “emotions or personal interests” but are based on the party constitution and existing guidelines. He added that it would need to be confirmed.
He further added, “To all concerned, Deputy National Public Relations Secretary, I humbly acknowledge that the current Deputy National Public Relations Secretary, Acting National Legal Adviser, and now Acting National Legal Adviser have been appointed following the decision of the NWC. Please note that this is in line with the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) in the absence of a substantive officer. Sections 40(2) and 42(2) are sufficient. has been revealed.
“Therefore, the leaders should be informing the uninformed, but instead spreading false information on national television and other media channels that our representation is unconstitutional and that we do not exist. Why?
“Furthermore, we cannot help but express our utter disgust and disappointment that our colleagues are resorting to a mere parking stop in order to provide an opportunity to clear certain allegations against them. No.
“We know a lot about the drummers, but the masquerade dancers should have been taught their dance steps to avoid being naked on stage.”
However, in an interview with Punch on Monday, the new faction chairman, Mohammed, said he would follow the opinion of the party leadership rather than counter the threats.
He said: “We have submitted all our positions and views to the party organs, namely the Governors’ Forum, the Board of Directors and other members of the party. We have expressed our concerns and the reasons for our position. .
“They promised us they would take the position and contact us. So we are not worried about any threats. They should go ahead and do their thing. .
“We have clearly expressed our concerns. The party constitution must be respected and that is our demand.
“I’m also confident that our leaders will hear back from us between now and Friday. We will listen to them, not threaten them.”
Meanwhile, governors elected under the PDP postponed their meeting on the crisis until Tuesday (today) after Monday’s meeting ended without any compromise being reached among the governors.
A national executive of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak on the matter, confirmed that the meeting held by the PDP Governors Forum led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Zoom could not be concluded.
“The meeting started around 5 p.m., but we were not able to finish it today (Monday). It will continue tomorrow (today),” he said.
