Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has congratulated Mohammed Abdulrahman on his emergence as the factional Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He urged him to prioritize party unity, rebuild confidence among members, and provide new direction amid deepening internal divisions.
Abdulrahman was appointed Acting National Chairman following the suspension of the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, alongside National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba; Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo; and three others over alleged misconduct and anti-party activities.
In response, the faction loyal to Damagum had earlier announced the suspension of the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN; and two other members, further widening the rift within the party.
In a statement released on Saturday, Fayose urged Abdulrahman to act swiftly to reconcile aggrieved members and ensure that pending state and zonal congresses are completed ahead of a valid national convention.
“I congratulate the new chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman. I urge him to unite the party and restore confidence in its members,” Fayose said. “He must address the injustices done in states like Ekiti and others in line with the party’s constitution and existing court rulings. He should also be a team player and ensure the emergence of a new National Working Committee through a proper national convention.”
The former governor emphasized that the PDP was at a crossroads and in urgent need of strong leadership to steer it out of crisis.
Meanwhile, internal tension continues to grip the party despite plans for its National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. Supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, remain at odds with Damagum’s camp over control of party structures in the South-South, particularly in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau States.
The situation worsened on Friday after the Federal High Court in Abuja halted the planned convention. Justice James Omotosho granted an interim injunction restraining the PDP from proceeding with the event pending compliance with its constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act 2022.
The case, filed by three aggrieved party members — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (South-South Zonal Secretary) — alleged that the party failed to conduct valid congresses in 14 states and did not give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the required 21-day notice.
Justice Omotosho upheld their claims and ruled that the party violated both its internal constitution and national electoral guidelines. Consequently, he ordered the suspension of the convention until all irregularities are corrected in accordance with the law.
