The crisis engulfing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) escalated yesterday as the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Amb. Umar Damagum invited security agencies to intervene in the internal conflict. This revelation was made by the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, during an interactive session with journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Abdullahi’s announcement followed allegations from supporters of the Yayari Mohammed-led faction, claiming that the Damagum-led NWC was acting on behalf of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections. He explained that the Damagum-led executive had no choice but to involve security agencies to enforce the rule of law, as the faction aligned with Yayari Mohammed continued to assert its claim to the party’s leadership.
“The actions of the renegade faction are in total disregard of a subsisting court order restraining the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Council (NEC) from removing Damagum from office as acting national chairman,” Abdullahi stated. He emphasized, “In the face of this reckless violation, we are left with no option but to deploy the services of security agencies in the enforcement of the rule of law.”
He condemned the ongoing conflict, describing it as a serious threat to the party’s corporate existence. “This is, therefore, a clarion call to all concerned to ensure that the PDP is not destroyed due to avoidable conflicts,” he added, quoting former U.S. President John F. Kennedy on the interdependence of leadership and learning.
Abdullahi further highlighted the need for adherence to the party’s constitution and guidelines to improve the learning process in party leadership and administration. He referenced a recent NWC meeting that led to the temporary suspension of the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, to allow an investigation into allegations of abuse of office and insubordination.
He stressed that both suspended officers are senior lawyers who should understand the importance of preserving the party’s sanctity. Abdullahi urged restraint and cooperation among party members to prevent further damage to the PDP, which he described as the major opposition party in Nigeria and the hope of Nigerians for a better tomorrow amidst the APC’s governance challenges.