We’ve reconciled PDP NWC, says Oyinlola on party crisis

Olagunsoye Oyinlola, chairman of the national reconciliation committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the party’s national working committee (NWC) has been reconciled.

BACKGROUND

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

In August, the party’s leadership constituted a national reconciliation committee to resolve the internal wrangling among members.

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

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

Hours later, Ologunagba’s faction announced the appointment of Yayari Mohammed as the party’s acting national chairman.

The federal high court in Abuja restrained the national executive council (NEC), the highest decision-making organ of the party, and the board of trustees (BoT) from removing Damagum as the acting national chair.

In a judgment delivered via Zoom, Peter Lifu, the presiding judge, ordered that apart from Damagum, no other person must be recognised as the PDP acting national chairman until the party’s convention in December 2025.

On October 15, Bala Mohammed, chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, said the suspension of the NWC members by various factions has been lifted. He asked all members to return to status quo.

‘WE HAD A FRUITFUL MEETING’

Earlier today, the national reconciliation committee of the NWC met at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking to journalists on the outcome of the meeting, Oyinlola said reconciliation is vital for the party’s progress and unity.

The former governor of Osun described the meeting as “fruitful”, but did not disclose the specific issues addressed.

“The outcome of today’s meeting is that, to the glory of God, we have been able to resolve the differences that have been causing our party some headache within the NWC,” he said.

“We thank God that we have been able to open up to ourselves and resolve to move on as a united NWC, which is what we needed for the progress of our party, the PDP.”

Oyinlola declined to comment on whether the NEC meeting would hold on Thursday, noting that it was not part of the committee’s discussions.