[By Abigail Philip David]
The ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Friday as the party’s integrity faction announced the appointment of Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the new acting National Chairman.
Earlier in the day, the National Working Committee (NWC), led by acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, suspended National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba over alleged anti-party activities.
Shortly after, another faction of the NWC, through a statement by Ologunagba, announced the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Sam Anyanwu, also for alleged anti-party activities.
Ologunagba, speaking for the integrity group, confirmed that Mohammed’s appointment as acting National Chairman takes effect immediately and is in accordance with the PDP’s amended 2017 constitution.
The statement read, “Following the suspension of His Excellency, Ambassador Illiya Damagum as the Acting National Chairman of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Working Committee (NWC) has approved the appointment of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the Acting National Chairman.
“The appointment, which takes immediate effect, is pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).”
The NWC urged party organs, leaders, stakeholders, and members to remain united and focused, especially with the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024.
