The National Working Committee (NWC) has announced the appointment of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the new Acting National Chairman.
This decision follows the suspension of Ambassador Illiya Damagum from the same position.
The NWC, in a press release issued on Friday, explained that the appointment of Alhaji Yayari Ahmed Mohammed takes immediate effect.
According to the statement, the move is in accordance with the provisions of the PDP Constitution, which was amended in 2017.
The NWC emphasized that the appointment is legally grounded in these constitutional guidelines.
As the party gears up for its upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024, the NWC called on all party members, including its organs, leaders, and critical stakeholders, to remain united and focused during this critical period.
The NEC meeting is expected to address various issues concerning the party’s future direction.
However, this appointment comes amidst a legal battle over the status of Illiya Damagum as Acting National Chairman.
On the same Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order preventing the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) from removing Damagum from his position.
Justice Peter Lifu, who presided over the case, ruled that, according to Articles 42, 47, and 67 of the PDP Constitution, national officers of the party can only be elected or removed at a national convention.
The court’s ruling implies that Damagum’s suspension or removal outside of this process could be deemed unconstitutional.
This situation creates a complex scenario for the PDP leadership as it navigates both the internal party dynamics and the legal framework governing its leadership structure.
How the party resolves this internal conflict, especially ahead of its crucial NEC meeting, will be closely watched by both party members and political observers across the country.
