Damagum orders security agencies to arrest PDP factional national chairman

Umar Illiya Damagum, the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has directed security agencies to arrest the factional chairman, Ahmed Yayari Mohammed.

The order follows accusations that Mohammed and his faction have violated a subsisting court order regarding their legitimacy and actions within the party.

The internal power struggle, which has embroiled the PDP’s leadership, reached a new peak after Damagum suspended key party officers, including the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, for alleged anti-party activities tied to the crisis in Rivers State.

Following these suspensions, the faction led by Ahmed Yayari Mohammed retaliated by announcing the suspension of Damagum and PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, accusing them of sabotaging the party’s interests in legal matters involving the Rivers State PDP chapter.

The tit-for-tat suspension has worsened an already volatile situation within the party.

Damagum’s camp, in a press conference, condemned the actions of Mohammed’s faction as not only unconstitutional but also a clear violation of a court ruling.

Acting National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, representing the Damagum-led PDP faction, stated that the party had no choice but to seek the involvement of security agencies to enforce the court’s ruling and restore order.

Manga emphasized that the assumption of roles by Damagum and his allies was done in full accordance with the decisions of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), held on October 10, 2024.

He criticized Mohammed’s faction for disregarding party regulations and warned that their actions could have severe legal consequences.

“We urge all our party members to remain focused and continue supporting the PDP leadership under the Acting National Chairman, H.E. Amb Umar Iliya Damagum, until we achieve a lasting solution to our issues.”

“For the record, both affected NWC officers are senior lawyers who should know better how to uphold the sanctity of the organisation and have participated in the suspension of some of their NWC colleagues in the past.

“So, why jeopardise our great party due to the collective decision of your colleagues against your actions, rather than taking advantage of the Investigation Committee’s opportunity for reconciliation?

“Furthermore, we are compelled to express our utter disgust and disappointment at our colleagues’ resort to a ‘motor park’ approach to a mere suspension, which is intended to provide them with the opportunity to address specific allegations against them.

“While we are aware of the drummers, the masquerades should have been more mindful of their dance steps to avoid exposing themselves on stage,” Manga said.