Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, the newly appointed acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has vowed to restore the party’s credibility and work within the framework of its constitution. Yayari, who assumed the leadership of the party amidst internal conflict and factional defection, has outlined his commitment to reposition the PDP as Nigeria’s main opposition party.
In a statement released on Sunday, Yayari highlighted the challenges facing the PDP and his vision for the future. He acknowledged that the party has fallen short of expectations, particularly in its role as a robust opposition force. However, he promised that under his leadership, the National Working Committee (NWC) would be guided by transparency, fairness, and adherence to the party’s constitution.
Yayari’s appointment comes at a time of significant turmoil within the PDP. A faction of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) broke away from the leadership of Illiya Damagum, the embattled acting chairman. Tensions within the party had been simmering for months, and Yayari’s faction believes that Damagum’s leadership had not been effective in addressing key issues.
The defection and subsequent appointment of Yayari as the acting chairman mark a critical moment in the PDP’s internal politics. The faction backing Yayari is seeking to chart a new course for the party, one that emphasizes the need for unity, discipline, and the reinvigoration of the party’s role in Nigeria’s democracy.
In his opening remarks as acting chairman, Yayari expressed his gratitude for the support and solidarity he has received from party members since his appointment. He underscored the importance of fairness in his leadership, pledging to treat all members equally, regardless of their position or state of origin.
“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,” he said. He added that only through fairness and respect for the rule of law can the PDP restore the loyalty and commitment of its members.
Yayari emphasized that his primary goal is to restore confidence within the party, particularly at a time when many members are disillusioned with the PDP’s performance as an opposition party. “My primary goal, focus, and mandate in this onerous assignment is to restore the confidence of our members,” he noted.
One of Yayari’s first major moves as acting chairman is to convene the long-overdue National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The NEC, which plays a pivotal role in decision-making within the PDP, is scheduled to meet on October 24, 2024. Yayari has promised to use this platform to address key concerns and set the stage for revitalizing the party.
In his statement, Yayari called on the North-Central Zone of the PDP to urgently meet and nominate a replacement for the former National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who stepped down from his role earlier. According to the PDP’s constitution, the North-Central Zone is entitled to nominate a candidate to complete the remainder of Ayu’s tenure.
“The North Central Zone, which is constitutionally 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,” Yayari declared. This nominee is expected to be presented at the NEC meeting for consideration and approval.
While Yayari’s appointment has been met with support from his faction, he faces significant challenges in uniting the PDP. The factional disputes within the party have left many members divided, and reconciling these differences will be no easy task. The faction led by Illiya Damagum still holds sway within parts of the party, and resolving the leadership crisis will require delicate negotiations and compromises.
Furthermore, the PDP has struggled to maintain its relevance as the main opposition party since losing the presidency in 2015. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the party’s internal divisions threaten to weaken its chances of reclaiming power. Many political analysts believe that unless the PDP can resolve its leadership disputes and present a united front, it may continue to struggle in future elections.
However, Yayari remains optimistic that his leadership will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the PDP. In his statement, he pledged to focus on rebuilding the party and preparing it for its role as an effective opposition. “The NWC is now 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,” Yayari affirmed.