EXTRA: I’ll end divisions in PDP, says factional acting chair

Abdulrahman Mohammed, factional acting chair of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says he’ll end divisions and factionalisation in the party.

Mohammed, who assumed office at the PDP’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday, said he will “reposition the party and make it law-abiding”.

“We are all aware of the current pitiable state of our glorious party because of the actions and inactions of our leaders and members,” he said in a statement on Monday.

“From being the ruling party for 16 uninterrupted years to being an opposition party for over 10 years now at the national level, from being a formidable opposition to a now humbled opposition owing to the unexplainable, unconscionable defections of governors, legislators and council chairmen, et al.

“I have accepted to become acting national chairman at this difficult time through the mercy of God and instrumentality of very critical stakeholders of this party.

“My job here as Acting National Chairman is simple: heal the party of its wounds and end factionalisation, reposition the party and make it law-abiding.

“And to plan an all-inclusive National Convention, and hand over to a properly elected national working committee (NWC), after concluding all the outstanding congresses at the zonal, state, local government and ward levels.

“Hand over this our beloved party back to her true owners, the Nigerian people. I want to assure all PDP faithful, critical stakeholders and Nigerians at large, that a new dawn has come and with it the renaissance of the PDP.

“I cannot do this seemingly difficult job alone; I will need all your support, prayers and genuine commitment to join hands on lifting our party, the PDP, upwards.”

He added that consultations are already ongoing and that the party will have its national executive committee (NEC) meeting soon.

BACKGROUND

On Saturday, the PDP NWC, led by Umar Damagum, the national chairman, suspended Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary; Kamaldeen Ajibade, national legal adviser; Okechukwu Osuoha, deputy legal adviser; and Umaru Bature, national organising secretary, over alleged anti-party activities.

Debo Ologunagba, the PDP spokesperson, announced the suspension during a press conference, stating that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the NWC in Abuja.

Hours later, Anyanwu’s faction, which has the backing of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), suspended Damagum, Ologunagba, Taofeek Arapaja, the deputy national vice-chairman (south); Daniel Woyenguikoro, national financial secretary; Sulaiman Kadade, national youth leader; and Setonji Koshoedo, deputy national secretary.

Anyanwu’s faction subsequently appointed  Mohammed as the acting national chairman, claiming that the decision was necessary to restore order and legitimacy within the party’s national leadership.