The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed Yayari Ahmed, the party’s Treasurer, as the new Acting National Chairman, following the suspension of Ambassador Umar Damagum by a faction of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC).
This announcement was made in a statement signed by the party’s National Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, on Friday in Abuja.
According to the statement, Yayari Ahmed’s appointment is in line with the PDP’s constitution, as amended in 2017, and takes effect immediately.
The NWC urged all party members, leaders, and stakeholders to remain united and focused as the party prepares for its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
The statement reads:
“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 stakeholder 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, October 24, 2024.”
Court Bars PDP from Removing Damagun as Acting National Chairman
In a separate development, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order barring the PDP’s NEC and Board of Trustees (BoT) from removing Umar Damagum from his position as Acting National Chairman.
The court ruled that Damagum will remain the recognised leader of the party until the PDP’s national convention, which is slated for December 2024.
The court’s decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by Senator Umar El-Gash Maina against the PDP’s NEC, BoT, and other parties, challenging the suspension of Damagum and the subsequent appointment of a replacement.
The court’s ruling effectively prevents the faction from enforcing the leadership change.