The Peoples Democratic Party’s internal crisis has moved to the National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for October 24.
This follows the intervention of the PDP Governors’ Forum in the National Working Committee dispute.
Last week, the NWC split into factions after acting National Chairman Umar Damagum suspended National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade. Ologunagba retaliated by suspending Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, according to The Sun.
The PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, stepped in, resolving that all suspensions be lifted and NWC members return to their previous positions. The forum emphasized careful handling of issues with pending legal disputes.
the PDP-GF, in a communique, yesterday, after its meetings, on Monday night, and yesterday morning, said after its intervention in conjunction with the Board of Trustees, it was resolved that all the suspensions were quashed, while NWC members should return to status quo.
Despite this temporary resolution, underlying issues remain. NEC members anticipate contentious discussions at the October 24 meeting, particularly regarding the Rivers State political crisis and congress approvals.
The PDP’s internal power struggle between supporters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Minister Nyesom Wike continues ahead of the 2027 polls. A recent court ruling bars the NEC and Board of Trustees from replacing Damagum until December 2025.
Some stakeholders advocate for Damagum’s reversion to his former role, allowing the North Central region to produce a replacement, as stipulated in the PDP Constitution. Others propose former Senate President David Mark as a potential party leader.
Governor Mohammed confirmed that the PDP Governors’ Forum, Board of Trustees, NWC, and National Caucus will convene to determine the October 24 meeting’s outcome, stressing the need for unity and sacrifice among party leaders.
The communique, which was read by the chairman of the PDP-GF, Gov Mohammed of Bauchi State, noted that “the organs of the party were careful in addressing issues particularly those over which there were pending legal disputes.
“That the NWC should revert to the status quo and remain united in the interest of the party and the nation. That all suspensions issued on officials across the parties within the NWC have been lifted forthwith.
“That there are no factions in the party and minor issues should not be blown out of proportion. We also urge that occupants of positions of responsibility should be mindful of their vows to serve and grow the party from strength to strength, consolidating on the dreams of our founding fathers.”
Damagum, while speaking to journalists on the position of the PDP governors on the crisis in the NWC, said there was no crisis in the party organ ab initio.
He said: “There is no crisis. The governors are a critical organ of the party. When they speak, we have to look at it holistically.”
The party official, who identified the Rivers political crisis, as one of the bones of contention, said the various interests would take their case to the NEC.
He said: “The NWC under Damagum approved the congresses in Rivers State, not minding the pending litigations. As you know, the results of all the congresses will be presented to the NEC for ratification. I can tell you that it is not over yet.”
The NEC added: “If they want to replace the NWC with a caretaker committee, so be it. But some of us will insist at the NEC that the right thing is done.”
Odeyemi, who was reacting to claims by some party chiefs that the underlying issues in the NWC crisis were yet to be resolved, said the governors had done the best they could do.
Speaking to the press, he said: “It is one thing after the other. The mere fact that the Governors’ Forum came alive to their responsibility of ensuring peace in the party is an indication that peace will soon return to PDP.
“That is the first thing they ought to have done. All other issues will be addressed with them. And of course, the National Executive Committee meeting which is on October 24 will answer a lot of questions, particularly on all grey areas. For now, we need peace in the party. That is how far the governors can go.”
A source close to the former Senate President confirmed that there was renewed pressure on Mark to accept to serve as the PDP national chairman.
According to him, “PDP stakeholders, elders, governors’ forum and BoT members are mounting pressure on David Mark to take over
the mantle of leadership of the PDP to rescue the party, but he is yet to give his word as of today.”
The governor, who was responding to a question on the October 24 NEC meeting, said: “The governors, the BoT, NWC, and the caucus will sit down and discuss the sanctity of the NEC.”