Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has called on security agencies to arrest the party’s National Treasurer, Yayari Mohammed, who has been parading himself as a factional chairman.
Speaking at the party’s national secretariat on Monday, Damagum urged law enforcement to not only pursue Yayari but also secure the PDP national secretariat in Abuja and ensure adherence to the rule of law.
Damagum condemned Yayari’s actions, accusing him of trampling on the PDP constitution and defying a Federal High Court judgment that recognized Damagum as the authentic acting chairman.
“In the face of this reckless violation of a subsisting court order, we are hereby left with no option but to deploy the services of security agencies in the enforcement of the rule of law,” Damagum stated.
Yayari, who earlier claimed to have been endorsed by the PDP Governors’ Forum as factional acting chairman, did not report to the party office as expected.
Despite Yayari’s claim that he had assumed office and was preparing for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting set for October 24, Damagum reaffirmed his position as the rightful interim chairman, warning Yayari against defying the court order.
In response to the escalating crisis, the PDP Governors’ Forum and the Board of Trustees (BoT) have called for calm, cautioning that further division could harm the party’s unity.
Damagum criticized Yayari and his supporters for creating chaos within the party and labeled their actions a ‘motor park approach’ to party politics.
In a statement titled “For the Sake of PDP, Caution,” Damagum stressed that the suspended National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, should use their suspension for reflection.
He pointed to the Federal High Court’s judgment, which bars any party organ from altering his position as chairman until December next year, warning that Yayari and his supporters risked committing contempt of court.
The leadership conflict reached a peak last weekend when the National Working Committee (NWC) suspended Ologunagba and Ajibade.
In retaliation, the suspended officers announced the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwun.
Damagum condemned these moves, warning against actions that could destroy the PDP through unnecessary conflicts.
Reaffirming his authority, Damagum urged the suspended officers to respect the party’s internal processes, including the ongoing investigation into allegations of abuse of office.
He emphasized the importance of following the party’s constitution and guidelines rather than pursuing personal interests.
Manga, the Acting National Publicity Secretary, later informed reporters that security agencies were already tracking Yayari for violating court orders.
“We are guided by law. There is a subsisting court order, and contempt of that order will be dealt with strictly,” Manga said, adding that the PDP Governors have not endorsed Yayari as the factional leader, contrary to rumors.
Manga concluded by reiterating that the PDP remains united behind Damagum’s leadership, with the support of all 13 PDP governors.