A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) that suspended Illiya Damagum has appointed Yayari Mohammed as the new acting National Chairman.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja on Friday, it was confirmed that Mohammed’s appointment had been approved by the NWC.
According to Ologunagba, “the appointment takes immediate effect, in accordance with the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).”
He called on all party organs, leaders, critical stakeholders, and members to remain focused, stating that calm was essential as the NWC prepared for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for October 24.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had earlier reported the deepening crisis within the party, with two factions emerging, each suspending key NWC officers in separate statements.
One faction, in a statement by Ologunagba, suspended the acting National Chairman, Damagum, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, over alleged anti-party activities.
In response, another faction loyal to Damagum announced the suspension of the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, and Ologunagba for alleged disloyalty to the party.
This faction, through a statement by the party’s National Director of Publicity, Pastor Chinwe Nnorom, directed both Ologunagba and Ajibade to step aside.
A committee chaired by Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, was constituted to investigate the allegations against the officers, in line with the party’s constitution.
“Following the NWC’s decision, the respective deputies of the two suspended national officers have been directed to assume office in an acting capacity with immediate effect, pending the conclusion of the investigation,” said Nnorom.
The deputies named were Ibrahim Manga as acting National Publicity Secretary and Okechukwu Osuoha as acting National Legal Adviser.
(NAN)