In a move aimed at restoring peace within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party’s governors have annulled recent suspensions and counter-suspensions among feuding members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
This decision came after a two-day meeting held by the PDP Governors Forum, led by the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed. The crisis, which had escalated over internal disagreements, now seems to be calming as party leaders rally to prevent further division.
The PDP crisis erupted when the Amb. Umar Damagum-led NWC suspended the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN.
The suspension was based on accusations of abuse of office and insubordination.
In retaliation, Ologunagba and Ajibade announced the suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
To add fuel to the fire, Ologunagba’s faction even declared the party’s National Treasurer, Yayari Mohammed, as Damagum’s replacement. This back-and-forth of suspensions highlighted the growing internal conflict within the party.
Recognizing the potential damage this infighting could do to the party, PDP governors stepped in to broker peace.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors Forum (PDP-GF), announced that all suspensions have been nullified, and the party will return to the status quo.
He emphasized that after consultations with representatives of the NWC, the PDP’s National Assembly Caucus, and the Board of Trustees (BoT), the decision to end the suspensions was unanimous.
“We had a family meeting, and we wish to reaffirm that there is no faction in the PDP,” Governor Mohammed declared.
He stressed that both sides have agreed to put the party first and to lift the suspensions for the sake of unity. “In the interest of the party and Nigeria, we should return to the status quo,” he added.
Governor Mohammed’s statements aimed to dismiss any notion that the PDP is divided. He reassured party members and the public that internal challenges are normal and that no faction exists within the PDP.
“There is no party that does not have problems,” he said. “Some of them are legal, and we do not want to preempt the outcome of legal procedures.”
The governor urged PDP members to make sacrifices for the good of the party. He emphasized that personal grievances should not be allowed to create divisions within the party, especially at such a critical time in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Another key issue discussed during the meeting was the scheduled National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, set for October 24th.
When asked if the date would be maintained or rescheduled, Governor Mohammed noted that the governors, BoT, and NWC would sit down to discuss the sanctity of the date.
This meeting is significant as it will be a platform to resolve any remaining issues and chart a course forward for the party. However, whether or not it will hold as planned remains to be seen.
Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Umar Damagum, also addressed reporters after the meeting and welcomed the governors’ decision.
Damagum reiterated that, in his view, there is no real crisis within the party. He argued that some people were trying to take advantage of the situation to escalate tensions.
“There is no crisis in the party as far as I am concerned,” he said. “But some people want to take advantage of the situation.”
He urged the media to be cautious in their reporting, warning that over-dramatizing events could create the perception of a larger problem. Damagum made it clear that he believes the governors are key players in the party and that their decisions should be respected.
“As far as I am concerned, the governors are our leaders and critical organs of this party, and when they speak, we must look at it holistically and also abide by it,” he stated.
When asked about the status of the suspended National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Damagum offered a conciliatory response.
“Have they left? They are still in the party,” he replied, indicating that despite the recent conflict, both Ologunagba and Ajibade remain members of the PDP. This comment further reinforces the party’s attempt to downplay the internal struggles and focus on unity.
This is not the first time the PDP has experienced internal strife. Since its formation in 1998, the party has faced multiple internal challenges, especially as it transitioned from being Nigeria’s ruling party to the opposition after the 2015 elections.
From leadership tussles to factional splits, the PDP has seen its fair share of internal crises. However, each time, the party has managed to pull back from the brink, largely due to interventions from key stakeholders such as governors and party elders.
