The 13 state governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party are headed for a possible showdown today (Monday) as they meet to discuss the party’s internal crisis, which took a deeper turn on Friday following the emergence of a factional PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Yayari Mohammed.
Friday’s development marked a new twist in the clamour to remove the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who is an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The move to remove Damagum has split the PDP governors, with the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, leading six other governors pushing for Damagum’s ouster.
With Mohammed are Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri; Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno.
Meanwhile, four other governors, led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who are allies of Wike, are opposed to Damagum’s removal.
Others with Makinde are Governors Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State.
However, two out of the 13 governors are neutral. They are Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.
Sunday PUNCH reported that following the escalation of the party’s internal crisis over the weekend, the PDP governors convened an emergency meeting for today (Monday).
A high-ranking member of the PDP National Working Committee, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, said the main agenda of the governors’ meeting today is possible reconciliation of the Damagum and the factional chairman, Yayari Mohammed’s camp.
The party chieftain said at the meeting to be held by Zoom, the PDP governors will be seeking direction which direction to move over Damagum and Yayari.
He stated, “The governors will meet on Monday. In their meeting, they will review actions taken by both groups, namely the Damagum and Mohammed factions of the NWC. There will be extensive discussion about last week’s suspension. From what I have gathered, they will decide whether to uphold or cancel the suspensions from both camps, which may lead to voting among them.
“They will have to decide the fate of both factions of the NWC, as this will determine which faction will chair the October 24 NEC and will also significantly impact whether the NEC meeting will proceed. Essentially, the NWC and the NEC are the major issues that the governors will address.
“Though the governors are also divided, as you are aware, Bauchi’s governor and a few others are against Wike’s ally, Damagum. Meanwhile, Makinde, Fintiri, and Mutfwang are leading the pro-Damagum faction. Despite the division, they will engage in a heart-to-heart conversation and attempt to reach a conclusion on the genuine NWC leadership and ensure the NEC meeting is held as scheduled.”
The PUNCH had reported that in a surprising move on Friday, the Damagum’s faction of the NWC announced the suspension of the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), for alleged insubordination and anti-party activities.
Shortly afterward, a statement from Ologunagba stated that the NWC had suspended Damagum and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, for disloyalty, appointing the National Treasurer, Yayari Mohammed, as acting National Chairman.
Another reliable party chieftain, who also spoke anonymously, told our correspondent on Sunday that the governors at their meeting today would be attempting to douse the tension in the party.
The source stated, “The governors are meeting tomorrow (Monday), and the main agenda is to find solutions to some of the issues affecting the PDP at all levels.
“What they will do is agree on a framework that captures the interests of both groups and all stakeholders, helping to assuage tensions so they can recommit to the party leadership.
“The October 24 NEC will be held as scheduled. It is cast in stone and will proceed.”
But speaking with our correspondent on Sunday, the acting National Publicity Secretary of the Damagum’s camp, Ibrahim Abdullahi, insisted that the decision to suspend Ologunagba remained and nothing by the governors could change the situation.
Abdullahi stated, “The governors do not have such powers. The decision has been made. They cannot simply come and say that as the Governors’ Forum, they are ordering the NWC to revert to the status quo. There is no truth in that.
“The PDP Governors’ Forum cannot question the NWC’s decision; only the NEC can do that. And as far as the NEC is concerned, that decision has been taken for good.”
Abdullahi, who confirmed that the NEC meeting, scheduled for October 24, will proceed as scheduled, advised party leaders supporting the Mohammed-led faction of the NWC to stop wasting their time.
He stated, “The NEC scheduled for October 24 will proceed as planned, by the grace of God. We advise those supporting them to stop wasting their time and to respect the party’s constitution in matters like this.
“We appeal to those leaders to consider the bigger picture, as many Nigerians are looking up to the PDP to rescue them from the hopelessness of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government, and they should allow these individuals to clear their names.”
Abdullahi also insisted that the reconciliation committee led by former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and the disciplinary committee headed by former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Ikimi, would not intervene in the NWC crisis, as that was not part of their mandates.
Attempts to contact the acting National Publicity Secretary of the Mohammed faction, Ologunagba, were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls or respond to messages from our correspondent.
When reached for comment, Oyinlola, the Chairman of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee, told The PUNCH that the committee was awaiting further instructions to intervene.
The former Osun State governor, however, wondered who would give such a direction, given the factionalisation of the party’s leadership.
Responding to a question on whether the national reconciliation committee would intervene in the new crisis, Oyinlola said, “If we are directed, we will; but who will direct?”
Meanwhile, in an acceptance speech shared with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, the factional acting PDP National Chairman, Mohammed, stated that recent events within the PDP warrant serious reflection.
The factional acting National Chairman urged the North Central zone, which is constitutionally entitled to select a replacement for Damagum, to meet urgently and submit its nominee to his office for necessary preparations and consideration by the NEC.
He said, “Regrettably, we must admit that we have not satisfactorily carried out the critical role expected of a virile opposition in a democracy. This, it has been observed, is as a result of conflict of interests – personal or political – elevated above party interest, which continues to have debilitating effect on the ability of our party to perform effectively at various levels, particularly at the national level.
“This state of affairs continues to affect the performance and viability of our party to perform its role as expected as a platform which Nigerians have come to admire and look up to in view of the robust Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and the monumental achievements of the party in the 16 years in government, which period is referred to with nostalgia as the golden years of governance in Nigeria.
“The National Working Committee of the PDP, desirous of revamping the party in line with the vision of its founding fathers, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, appointed me as the acting National Chairman to lead the charge to rekindle the hope and aspiration of our teeming members especially the youths, critical stakeholders and generality of Nigerians who wish to see a political party that is 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.”
Mohammed promised that the NWC under his leadership would adhere strictly to the party’s constitution and would consistently treat all members fairly, regardless of their status, position, or state within the party.
He said, “In this regard, my primary goal, focus, and mandate in the onerous assignment is to restore the confidence of our members by immediately setting in motion the process to hold the long overdue National Executive Committee meeting of our party already scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024.
“In line with the provision of our party’s constitution, the North Central Zone, which is constitutionality entitled to produce a replacement to serve out the tenure of the former National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, is hereby requested to urgently meet and forward its nominee to my office for necessary preparation and forwarding for consideration and approval by NEC at the October 24, 2024 meeting.”