Kehinde Fajobi
The ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Friday as the party’s integrity faction announced the appointment of Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the acting National Chairman. This move comes amidst internal power struggles that show no sign of abating.
Earlier on Friday, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, suspended National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba over alleged anti-party activities.
In a swift response, another faction of the NWC, through a statement by Ologunagba, announced the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Sam Anyanwu for similar accusations.
Speaking on behalf of the integrity faction, Ologunagba said that Mohammed’s appointment takes effect immediately, citing the PDP’s amended 2017 constitution.
The statement read, “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 NWC urged all party organs, leaders, and members to remain focused as preparations for the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for October 24, 2024, are underway.