Nigerian governors under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are set to hold an emergency meeting today (Monday) in a bid to resolve the escalating leadership crisis within the party. The division deepened over the weekend after a series of suspensions and counter-suspensions between rival factions.
The crisis was triggered when the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, suspended the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade. In retaliation, Ajibade’s faction suspended Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu. Shortly after, Alhaji Yayari Mohammed, aligned with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, declared himself the factional PDP National Chairman.
Despite a court order barring the removal of Damagum, Mohammed resumed office on Sunday, backed by six PDP governors, while Damagum has the support of four governors, notably those allied with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike. Two of the party’s 13 governors are reportedly neutral.
The outcome of today’s meeting is seen as pivotal, as failure to resolve the leadership conflict could lead to a more severe crisis within the PDP, which has been grappling with internal divisions since the 2023 general elections.
