The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lifted the suspension on its National Working Committee (NWC) members, prioritizing party unity and progress.
Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi who confirmed this on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, said the crisis rocking the party has been resolved.
Umar Damagum, PDP acting national Chairman, and some members of the party were also with the governor.
Mohammed said governors of the party, the Board of Trustees (BoT), and other organs of the party have directed the national working committee (NWC) to revert to the status quo.
“I want to inform you on behalf of the PDP Governors Forum, chairman of the senate caucus, and the representative of the BoT. We had a family meeting and we wish to reaffirm that there is no faction in the PDP.
“All the suspensions you heard about have been resolved by the governors, the NWC, the caucus of the national assembly and the BoT.
“There is no faction. Everything has reverted to the status quo under acting chairman Damagum, pending the time the governors and other organs of the party will sit down and resolve all the issues. There is no party that does not have problems. Some of them are legal, and we do not want to preempt the outcome of legal procedures.
”So, whatever speculations and perceptions have gone out are wrong. Both parties have agreed that, in the interest of the party and Nigeria, we should return to the status quo before the suspension and counter-suspension.”Mohammed said.
Gov Mohammed said the suspension of NWC members by various factions has been lifted.
“These suspensions have been lifted. There are no more suspensions. That is the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
“To members of the party, they should remember that it is the PDP we have, and it is the most experienced party that has produced government and good governance since 1999.
“Our personal feelings should not be allowed to create perceptions that seem to divide us.”he said.
Mohammed said the governors, BoT and NWC will meet ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled to be held on October 24.
Also speaking, Damagum advised members of the party to obey the instructions of the Governors’ forum.
“There is no crisis in the party as far as I am concerned. But some people want to take advantage of the situation,” he said.
“As far as I am concerned, the governors are our leaders and critical organs of this party. When they speak, we must look at it holistically and also abide by it.”
Mohammed and Damagum are on their way to Ondo for the PDP governorship rally.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria is currently facing an intense internal crisis that has divided its National Working Committee (NWC) since 2022.
The situation took a dramatic turn when a faction within the NWC suspended Damagum, the acting national chairman, and Samuel Anyanwu, the national secretary, citing anti-party activities.
However, the Damagum-backed faction swiftly retaliated by suspending Kamaldeen Ajibade, the national legal adviser, and Debo Ologunagba, the national spokesperson, for the same alleged offense.
In a surprising twist, Ologunagba’s faction announced the appointment of Yayari Mohammed as the party’s acting national Chairman on Friday. But here’s the catch – the Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the NEC and Board of Trustees (BoT) from removing Damagum as the acting national chair.
In a Zoom-delivered judgment, Presiding Judge Peter Lifu ruled that Damagum remained the legitimate acting National Chairman until the party’s convention in December 2025.
This development highlighted the deep-seated divisions within the PDP, which has been a dominant force in Nigerian politics since 1999.
The party’s history has been marked by periods of internal conflict, but this current crisis threatens to undermine its stability and effectiveness as an opposition party. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the PDP will navigate this challenging period and emerge stronger.
