JUST IN: Wike’s influence grows as PDP govs ask Yayari to vacate office

Former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, continues to wield significant influence within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the party’s internal leadership struggles intensify.

On Tuesday, PDP governors nullified the suspension of the acting National Chairman, Iliya Damagum, in a move that reflects Wike’s determination to secure Damagum’s leadership position.

Wike has been actively involved in efforts to support the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and prevent any leadership changes that could destabilize his position.

In addition to reinstating Damagum, the PDP governors also nullified the suspension of other key party officials, including National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN.

The Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed, disclosed this development to journalists on Tuesday morning.

Addressing the media before departing for a “crucial assignment” in Ondo, Bala emphasized that the party’s leadership remains unchanged for now, despite ongoing tensions.

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The PDP had recently experienced a split within its National Working Committee (NWC), with Yayari Mohammed being named as a replacement for Damagum amid the conflict.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Yayari Mohammed criticized the NWC, accusing some leaders of prioritizing personal or political interests over the party’s agenda. He stressed that these internal conflicts have weakened the PDP’s role as an effective opposition at the national level.

“This state of affairs continues to affect the performance and viability of our Party to perform its role as expected as a platform which Nigerians have come to admire and look up to in view of the robust Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and the monumental achievements of the Party in the sixteen years in government, which period is referred to with nostalgia as the golden years of governance in Nigeria.”

“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, desirous of revamping the Party in line with the vision of its founding fathers, on Thursday, October 10, 2024 appointed me as the Acting National Chairman to lead the charge to rekindle the hope and aspiration of our teeming members especially the youths, critical stakeholders and generality of Nigerians who wish to see a political Party that is ready and willing to play the role of effective opposition in the quest to develop our democracy and seek for responsible and responsive government in our country.

“Only this will guarantee and engender loyalty and commitment of our teeming members,” he said.