PDP crisis: Opposition lawmakers back Yayari as acting Chairman, okay Damagun’s sack

Opposition lawmakers’ coalition has backed the emergence of Ahmed Mohammed Yayari as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting National Chairman and expressed their full support for the removal of former Acting Chairman Umar Illya Damagun.

Following the suspension of Ambassador Illya Damagun as Acting National Chairman and others, the National Working Committee (NWC) approved the appointment of Yayari Ahmed Mohammed (the current National Treasurer of PDP) as the Acting National Chairman.

The statement signed by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary, read in part: “Sequel to the vacancy that arose as a result of the suspension of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagun and a few others, Yayari, being the highest-ranking officer in the NWC from the North, naturally assumed the position pending the upcoming NEC meeting, where the North Central Zone will be allowed to produce a substantive Chairman for the Party.

“The appointment, which takes immediate effect, is pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017). The NWC calls on all organs, leaders, critical stakeholders, and members of our great Party to remain focused at this critical time, especially as the NWC commences arrangements towards the holding of the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting already scheduled for Thursday, 24th October 2024.”

Reacting to the development, Ugochinyere, in a statement, said there is jubilation in various quarters, as PDP faithful, supporters, and stakeholders are very happy with this development.

According to him, with the removal of Damagun, the transformation of the PDP will begin, as the party has faced many setbacks and challenges due to Damagun’s anti-party activities and his alliance with the party’s adversary, Nyesom Wike.

The lawmaker urged PDP governors and stakeholders to meet and prevent Damagun, who he described as an APC agent, along with their pro-Wike APC group, from further damaging the party.

The statement reads: “The news of Damagun’s suspension is a welcome development; there is jubilation everywhere. PDP faithful, supporters, and stakeholders are very happy with this development. Damagun has been working with our enemies to destroy the party and render it incapable of contesting the 2027 elections.

“With the removal of Damagun, the transformation of the PDP will begin, as the party has faced many setbacks and challenges due to Damagun’s anti-party activities and his alliance with the party’s enemy, Nyesom Wike. I urge PDP governors and stakeholders to meet and stop Damagun, who is an APC agent, along with their pro-Wike APC group, from further destroying the party.”