The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to reach a critical point today (Monday) as the party’s 13 state governors gather to deliberate on recent events, particularly the emergence of a factional National Chairman, Alhaji Yayari Mohammed......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
This development, which unfolded on Friday, has deepened the divide within the party, particularly around the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, a close ally of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
A faction led by the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, is pushing for Damagum’s removal. Mohammed is supported by six other governors, including Osun State’s Ademola Adeleke, Edo State’s Godwin Obaseki, Bayelsa’s Douye Diri, Rivers’ Siminalayi Fubara, Delta’s Sheriff Oborevwori, and Akwa Ibom’s Umo Eno.
On the other side of the conflict, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde leads a group of governors who are opposed to Damagum’s ouster. Makinde’s allies include Governors Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba. Notably, two governors, Peter Mbah of Enugu and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, have remained neutral.
The internal strife escalated over the weekend, prompting an emergency meeting today. According to an anonymous member of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), the governors’ meeting will center on reconciling the Damagum and Yayari Mohammed factions and determining the way forward for the party. “They will review actions taken by both sides, including suspensions, and could vote on whether to uphold or cancel them,” the source revealed.
This clash within the party’s leadership comes after a series of dramatic events last week. On Friday, Damagum’s camp suspended the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), accusing them of insubordination and anti-party activities. In a swift countermeasure, Ologunagba’s faction announced the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, while appointing Yayari Mohammed as the new acting National Chairman.
Today’s meeting is expected to shape the direction of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) and the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for October 24. The NEC meeting holds great significance for determining which faction of the NWC will preside over the party’s future and whether the current crisis can be resolved in time.
Ibrahim Abdullahi, acting National Publicity Secretary of the Damagum camp, maintained that the suspension of Ologunagba and others remains valid, dismissing the governors’ authority to reverse NWC decisions. He reiterated that only the NEC has the power to challenge the suspensions, emphasizing that the NEC meeting will proceed as scheduled.
“The governors cannot dictate to the NWC. Their role does not extend to reversing decisions that have already been made. We stand by our actions,” Abdullahi said. He also called on party leaders who are backing the Mohammed-led faction to respect the party’s constitution and stop wasting their time.
Meanwhile, the reconciliation and disciplinary committees led by former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Ikimi have distanced themselves from the leadership crisis, noting that their mandates do not cover resolving the current impasse.
As the PDP governors attempt to calm tensions today, the stakes are high for both factions. Party insiders expect a thorough discussion aimed at crafting a framework that addresses the interests of all parties involved. A PDP source said, “The October 24 NEC meeting will proceed, and the governors will try to ensure the party does not implode before then.”
The factional acting National Chairman, Yayari Mohammed, in an acceptance speech, urged the North Central zone to urgently select a replacement for Damagum in preparation for the NEC’s decision. He reflected on the party’s internal discord, blaming it for the PDP’s failure to perform its role as a vibrant opposition.
Mohammed assured party members that his leadership of the NWC would strictly adhere to the party’s constitution and ensure fairness to all. His focus, he stated, would be on restoring the confidence of party members, especially the youth and other critical stakeholders, and ensuring the NEC meeting proceeds as planned on October 24.