The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed Amb. Iliya Damagum as the Acting National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party.
After an emergency meeting on Tuesday at the Party’s Secretariat in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba said in a statement that the party acknowledged the Order of the Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023 with regards to the Chairmanship position of the Party.
The statement reads in part….
After a careful consideration of the Court Order and in line with Section 45 (2) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), the NWC resolved that the Deputy National Chairman (North) His Excellency, Amb. Umar Ililya Damagum assumes the National Chairmanship of our Party in acting capacity with effect from today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of our great Party to remain calm and united at this critical time.
The crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Sunday when Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the now former National Chairman of the party, was suspended by his Igyorov ward in Gboko Local government Area of Benue State on accusations of anti-party activities. This suspension comes shortly after the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) referred Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, to the national disciplinary committee of the party and suspended former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, and erstwhile Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, for the same offense. Ayu’s ward passed a vote of no confidence in him, and he was also accused of failing to pay his annual dues as required by the party’s constitution.
These recent events have sparked controversy within the PDP, with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, publicly defying the NWC’s decision to refer Governor Ortom to the disciplinary committee and declaring that his counterpart from Benue State would not appear before the committee. Wike also criticized the suspension of Fayose and others, calling it a “nullity,” and instead suggested that Ayu himself should face suspension for violating the PDP’s constitution regarding the zoning of elective and appointive offices.
Wike cautioned Ayu and the NWC against threatening the G-5 governors and members of the Integrity Group with suspension, stating that Ayu’s recent actions have only served to open up a new chapter of political war within the party.
The situation within the PDP remains tense as party members continue to grapple with these ongoing conflicts.