In anticipation of the PDP’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for October 24, party members are calling for decisive steps to realign the party.
Abuja, Nigeria – As the internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepens, the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has called on the party’s factional Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to restore order and revert to the status quo.
A high-ranking PDP official disclosed that the party’s Governors Forum has convened an emergency meeting for Monday to tackle pressing concerns regarding the party’s future direction and stability.
The meeting is expected to discuss the possibility of creating a caretaker committee to oversee the party until a National Convention is held to elect a new National Working Committee (NWC).
Damagum has faced mounting criticism since assuming the position of Acting National Chairman following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s removal by the courts. Tensions have escalated, particularly in Rivers State, where a rift exists between Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
In a surprising development last Friday, Damagum’s faction of the NWC, through the party’s National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, announced the suspension of National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) for alleged insubordination and anti-party activities.
Shortly after, Ologunagba issued a statement claiming that the NWC had suspended Damagum and National Secretary Sen. Samuel Anyanwu for disloyalty to the party, naming National Treasurer Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the new Acting National Chairman.
A source present at a meeting between Governor Bala Mohammed and Damagum’s faction reported that the governor is deeply concerned about the escalating situation. Mohammed reportedly urged calm and called for a return to unity within the NWC, advising the group to allow the National Executive Committee (NEC) to handle the issues at its next meeting.
The source said, “Governor Bala Mohammed is worried about the situation. During his meeting with Damagum’s team on Friday, he called for calm and urged them to restore the status quo to maintain unity in the NWC. The governors have now called for an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss appointing a caretaker committee to guide the party toward a National Convention in 2025.”
Some party stakeholders are pushing for the establishment of a caretaker committee, expressing doubts that the current NWC can work together effectively. However, the ongoing litigation involving Damagum and the NWC complicates this proposal, with the PDP governors expected to weigh their options during Monday’s meeting.
Efforts to contact the Director General of the PDP Governors Forum, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, and the Acting National Publicity Secretary of Damagum’s NWC, Ibrahim Abbdullahi, for comment were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to calls or text messages.
In anticipation of the PDP’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for October 24, party members are calling for decisive steps to realign the party. Eddy Olafeso, former National Vice Chairman for the South-West of the PDP, emphasized the need for collective responsibility in moving the party forward.
“The future of this party is a shared responsibility that requires the commitment of all members. I expect the NEC to foster unity and collaboration among members to create a stronger foundation for the PDP,” Olafeso said.
PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, expressed optimism that the NEC will resolve the party’s leadership and discipline issues during the October 24 meeting.
“I expect a united response to the issues at hand. The NEC will address the leadership and discipline challenges, and I believe that a more robust and frank discussion will lead to lasting peace,” Osadolor stated.
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