The ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Friday as the party’s integrity faction appointed Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the new Acting National Chairman. This move came shortly after the suspension of the current Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and other top officials within the party.
Earlier in the day, the National Working Committee (NWC), under Damagum's leadership, suspended National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, accusing them of anti-party activities. In a quick turn of events, another faction within the NWC, led by Ologunagba and aligned with the integrity group, announced the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Sam Anyanwu for similar reasons.
Ologunagba, speaking for the integrity group, revealed that the appointment of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as Acting National Chairman was in line with the provisions of the party’s amended constitution from 2017. He also emphasized that Mohammed’s appointment takes effect immediately.
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The statement from Ologunagba noted, "Following the suspension of Ambassador Illiya Damagum as Acting National Chairman of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the NWC has approved the appointment of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the new Acting National Chairman. This appointment takes immediate effect in accordance with the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017)."
The NWC further urged all organs, leaders, and members of the PDP to remain united as they move forward with plans for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for Thursday, 24th October 2024.
This latest development adds to the turmoil within the PDP, as both factions continue to battle for control of the party’s leadership ahead of the NEC meeting.
