The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), one of Nigeria’s major political parties, has appointed Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as its new Acting National Chairman. This announcement was made after a faction of the party suspended Ambassador Illiya Damagum, who had previously held the position.
The appointment was confirmed by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary. Ologunagba, in a statement released to the public, officially notified members of the party and the public about the change in leadership.
A statement signed by him reads:
PRESS RELEASE
APPOINTMENT OF YAYARI AHMED MOHAMMED AS PDP ACTING NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
Following the suspension of His Excellency, Amb. Illiya Damagum as the Acting National Chairman of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Working Committee (NWC) has approved the appointment of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the Acting National Chairman.
The appointment which takes immediate effect is pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017)
The NWC calls on all Organs, leaders, critical stakeholder and members of our great Party to remain focused at this critical time especially as the NWC commences arrangements towards the holding of the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting already scheduled for Thursday, 24th October, 2024.
While the party has moved to address its internal leadership issues, the situation has become more complex due to legal battles. On the same day, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order restraining the party’s NEC and Board of Trustees (BoT) from officially removing Damagum as Acting National Chairman.
Justice Peter Lifu, presiding over the case, ruled that in accordance with Articles 42, 47, and 67 of the PDP Constitution, only the national convention of the party has the power to elect national officers. This ruling has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing leadership crisis.
