The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shows no signs of abating as the new factional acting National Chairman, Yayari Mohammed, has challenged the rival National Working Committee (NWC) led by Umar Damagum to address alleged security threats against his faction.
During a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the acting National Publicity Secretary for the Damagum-led NWC, Ibrahim Abdullahi, issued a warning about potential security measures that could be enacted against Mohammed’s faction.
He emphasized the need to uphold the rule of law amidst the ongoing disputes that have deeply polarized the party since 2022.
The crisis escalated on Friday when the PDP’s national leadership fractured into two factions, with Yayari Mohammed and Umar Damagum at the helm of each side.
This split followed the suspension of the party’s National Legal Adviser, Adeyemi Ajibade, and National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, by the Damagum faction during the 593rd meeting of the NWC.
In response to the leadership turmoil, Abdullahi and Okechukwu Osuoha were appointed to replace the suspended officials in acting capacities.
However, the situation intensified when Ologunagba announced the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, citing multiple complaints against them.
Complicating matters further, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a ruling on the same day that restrained the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Board of Trustees from removing Damagum as the acting national chairman.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment via Zoom, ordering that only Damagum should be recognized as the PDP’s acting national chairman until the party’s convention scheduled for December 2025.
At the press conference, Abdullahi referenced the court order, warning the Mohammed faction against disobeying the ruling that validates Damagum’s position. He emphasized the importance of adhering to legal decisions in order to maintain stability within the party.
He stated, “We must ensure that certain actions are not guided by sentiments and personal interests, but by the party’s constitution.
“In the face of this reckless violation of a subsisting court order, we are left with no option but to deploy the services of security agencies to enforce the rule of law.”
Abdullahi added that to enhance the learning process of party leadership and administration, members must ensure that actions were based on the party’s constitution and existing guidelines, rather than influenced by “sentiments and personal interests.”
He added, “Let all concerned know that the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, my humble self, now acting National Publicity Secretary and Deputy National Legal Adviser and now Acting National Legal Adviser assumed office following the Decision of the NWC; and it is in line with the PDP Constitution (2017 as Amended) following the absence of our substantive officers. It is made abundantly clear in Section 40(2) and 42(2).
“It is therefore distasteful for a leader who ought to inform the uninformed but instead goes ahead to misinform on a national television and other media channels that our assumption of office in acting capacity is unconstitutional and does not exist. Why?
“Furthermore, we are constrained to express our utter disgust and disappointment in our colleagues’ resort to motor park approach to a mere suspension aimed at providing them with the opportunity to clear themselves of certain allegations against them.
“Although we have detailed knowledge of the drummers, the masqueraders should have been guided in their dance steps to avert stripping themselves naked on the stage.”
However, in an interview with Punch on Monday, new factional chairman Mohammed stated that they would heed the party leaders rather than respond to threats.
He stated, “We have submitted all our positions and views to the organs of the party: the governors’ forum, the Board of Trustees, and other members of the party. We have expressed our concerns and reasons for our stance.
“They have assured us that they will take a position and get back to us. Therefore, we are not worried about any threats; they should go ahead and carry out theirs.
“We have expressed our concerns clearly. The party’s constitution should be obeyed, and that is our demand.
“I am also sure that from now till Friday our leaders will get back to us. We will listen to them and not to threats.”
Meanwhile, the governors elected under the PDP adjourned their meeting regarding the crisis to Tuesday (today) after Monday’s meeting ended without the governors reaching a compromise.
A national officer of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, confirmed that the meeting held via Zoom by the PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, could not be concluded.
He stated, “The meeting started around 5pm, but they could not finish the meeting today (Monday).They will continue tomorrow (today).”