PDP lifts suspension on NWC members, says crisis over

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, says the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been resolved.

Mohammed, chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, spoke on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Umar Damagum, PDP acting national chair, 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,” Mohammed said.

“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 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,” he said.

“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.”

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 CRISIS

The opposition party has been embroiled in an internal crisis since 2022, which has polarised its NWC.

The crisis took a new twist last Thursday when a faction in the NWC suspended Damagum and Samuel Anyanwu, the national secretary, over alleged anti-party activities.

However, the Damagum-backed faction also suspended Kamaldeen Ajibade, the national legal adviser, and Debo Ologunagba, the national spokesperson, for the same offence.

On Friday, Ologunagba’s faction announced the appointment of Yayari Mohammed as the party’s acting national chair.