PDP Crisis: Governors Postpone Decision, Set New Meeting Date

The emergency meeting of the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held via Zoom on Monday ended without a resolution, with a continuation of discussions slated for today, Tuesday.

“The meeting started around 5 pm, but they could not finish the meeting today (Monday). They will continue tomorrow (today),” a national officer of the party revealed.

Discussions planned for today will be in Ondo State, where the governors are expected to attend the official flag-off of the PDP’s governorship campaign.

Meanwhile, Monday’s meeting was led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed to address the escalating internal crisis within the party.

A spokesperson for one of the governors disclosed that the majority of members are in favour of adhering to the party’s constitution, specifically the provision that mandates the national chairman position to revert to the zone of the previous chairman’s origin, in this case, Benue State, where Iyorchia Ayu hails from.

The development has seen some governors clash over the continued stay in office of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum

The move to remove Damagum has split the PDP governors into two factions. Seven governors, including Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, support Damagum’s removal. The group is led by Governor Mohammed.

On the other hand, four governors, led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, oppose Damagum’s removal. Governors Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State are aligned with Makinde.

Two governors, Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, remain neutral, choosing not to take sides in the ongoing power struggle.

Meanwhile, the national leadership of the PDP broke into two factions on Friday, with Yayari Mohammed and Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum leading each faction. This followed the suspension of National Legal Adviser Adeyemi Ajibade and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba by a faction of the NWC led by Damagum.

In response, Ologunagba announced the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu due to complaints raised against them.