Amid the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, Ahmed Yayari Mohammed has taken over as the party’s Acting National Chairman on Sunday, October 13.
Yayari Mohammed declared this in a press statement signed and issued on Sunday titled: “ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT AS THE ACTING NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF OUR PARTY, THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)”.
Recall that the embattled Umar Damagum became acting National Chairman following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s court removal. However, his leadership has been marred by controversy, particularly in Rivers State, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, are embroiled in a tense political situation.
On Friday, Damagum’s faction of the National Working Committee announced the suspension of National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade for alleged insubordination and anti-party activities. Through the party’s National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, the faction made the announcement.
In response, Ologunagba issued a statement suspending Damagum and National Secretary Sen. Samuel Anyanwu for alleged disloyalty. He appointed National Treasurer Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the acting National Chairman.
Mohammed’s acceptance speech read, “Dear Party members,
“It is with the deepest sense of duty that I address you at this time. The domestic events within our Party in the last few days calls for deep reflection about the management of the PDP especially at this crucial time in our nation, particularly as it relates to our role as an opposition Party and general management as a Constitution Compliant Party in the true spirit of the mission and vision of the founding fathers which are equity, fairness and justice.
“I am humbled and grateful by the numerous messages of solidarity, support and best wishes received from members of our Party across the country. The enthusiasm and relief expressed revealed the desire and determination of our members to see a PDP that is strong, democratic and based on strict adherence to its Constitution.
“Regrettably, we must admit that we have not satisfactorily carried out the critical role expected of a virile opposition in a democracy. This, it has been observed is as a result of conflict on interests; – personal or political – elevated above Party interest which continues to have debilitating effect on the ability of our Party to perform effectively at various levels, particularly at the national level.
“This state of affairs continues to affect the performance and viability of our Party to perform its role as expected as a platform which Nigerians have come to admire and looked up to in view of the robust Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and the monumental achievements of the Party in the sixteen years in government, which period is referred to with nostalgia as the golden years of governance in Nigeria.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, desirous of revamping the Party in line with the vision of its founding fathers, on Thursday, October 10, 2024 appointed me as the Acting National Chairman to lead the charge to rekindle the hope and aspiration of our teeming members especially the youths, critical stakeholders and generality of Nigerians who wish to see a political Party that is ready and willing to play the role of effective opposition in the quest to develop our democracy and seek for responsible and responsive government in our country.
“The NWC under my leadership will be guided strictly by the Constitution of our Party and I will at all times be fair to all members irrespective of their status, position or state in the Party. Only this will guarantee and engender loyalty and commitment of our teeming members.
“In this regard, my primary goal, focus and mandate in the onerous assignment is to restore confidence of our members by immediately setting in motion the process to hold the long overdue National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of our Party already scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024.
“In line with the provision of our Party’s Constitution, the North Central Zone which is constitutionality entitled to produce a replacement to serve out the tenure of the former National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu is hereby requested to urgently meet and forward its nominee to my office for necessary preparation and forwarding for consideration and approval by NEC at the October 24, 2024 meeting.
“I hereby seek and solicit the co-operation, support and advice from my colleagues NWC members, all Organs of the Party especially the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), National Assembly Caucus as well as leaders, critical stakeholders and members towards a successful NEC meeting that we can all be proud of.
“Thank you all for the opportunity to serve. Together we can restore the glory of our Party and uphold the sustenance of Democracy in our Country.”
However, the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has urged factional acting National Chairman Umar Damagum to revert to the status quo.
A senior party member revealed that the PDP Governors Forum has called an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss various concerns regarding the party’s future.
The governor stated, “Governor Bala Mohammed is worried about the situation… During his meeting with Damagum’s team on Friday, he welcomed them and called for calm. The governor urged them to restore the status quo to keep the NWC unified and allow the NEC to address the issues at its next meeting.”