In a bid to tackle the lingering crisis threatening to tear the party apart, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed an emergency meeting for Monday October 14, 2024.
The crisis rocking the party reached a crescendo on Friday when different factions in the party went on a war path, suspending leaders from each faction, further highlighting the unending friction which has been threatening to tear the party apart.
In the midst of the drama, the faction loyal to embattled acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, on behalf of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), through the party’s National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom after the 593rd meeting of the NWC held on Thursday, announced the suspension of National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), for alleged insubordination and anti party.
The Damagum faction also appointed Ibrahim Abdullahi and Okechukwu Osuoha to replace Ologunagba and Ajibade in acting capacities.
But in a surprising turn of events, shortly after the announcement, another faction, the Integrity Group in a statement signed by Ologunagba said the NWC had suspended Damagum and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu for alleged disloyalty to the PDP, and went ahead to name Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the acting National Chairman.
READ ALSO: PDP BoT urges NWC factions to sheath swords
Reports say the emergency meeting is being summoned at the instance of the PDP Governors Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who has also charged the embattled Damagum, to revert to the status quo following his removal by another faction of the party.
The emergency meeting will be expected to discuss various concerns regarding the party’s future as well as the possibility of establishing a caretaker committee to guide the party toward a National Convention to elect a new National Working Committee.
A new twist was introduced into the PDP crisis after Damagum’s suspension was annulled as Justice Peter Lifu of a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order against his removal by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) as the acting national chairman of the party until December 2025.
The party has also scheduled a NEC meeting for October 24 to elect a substantive national chairman who will complete the tenure of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, while Damagum is expected to revert to his position as National Vice Chairman (North).
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