A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Working Committee, NWC, has appointed Alhaji Yayari Mohammed as the new acting National Chairman following the suspension of Umar Damagum.
The announcement was made in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Friday in Abuja, confirming that Mohammed’s appointment is effective immediately in line with the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017).
Ologunagba urged all party organs, leaders, stakeholders, and members to stay united during this turbulent time, especially as the NWC prepares for the upcoming National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for October 24.
This appointment comes amidst a deepening crisis within the PDP, which has led to the emergence of two rival factions, both issuing conflicting statements regarding the suspension of key NWC members. One faction announced the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, accusing them of anti-party activities. In response, a faction loyal to Damagum suspended National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade and Ologunagba for alleged disloyalty.
READ ALSO :PDP suspends Chairman, Secretary for anti-party behaviour
Pastor Chinwe Nnorom, representing the faction loyal to Damagum, stated that Ologunagba and Ajibade have been directed to step aside. The faction has formed a committee, chaired by Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the allegations against the suspended officers, following the party’s constitutional provisions.
In light of the NWC’s decision, deputies to the suspended national officers have been assigned to act in their capacities. Ibrahim Manga will serve as the acting National Publicity Secretary, while Okechukwu Osuoha takes on the role of acting National Legal Adviser, effective immediately, pending the completion of the committee’s investigation.
Credible News recalls that the ripples of the legal battle in Rivers State hit Wadata Plaza with the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba said their suspension was endorsed by the the party’s National Working Committee.
Ologunagba in the statement Friday disclosed that: “The National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP has extensively considered the series of complaints raised against the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, particularly with regard to the letter addressed by them to the Court of Appeal in Appeal against the Party’s position in the case involving the 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who vacated their seats upon decamping from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“The NWC condemned this anti-party activity of the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary, which is in gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.
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