PDP Governors Back Yayari, Endorse Damagum’s Suspension

By Adesina Soyooye

The new factional Acting National Chairman of the crisis-prone Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Ahmed Yayari, has the backing of the majority of Governors on the platform of the Party.

Nine of the  Governors of the Party say they are solidly behind  Yayari and fully endorse the suspension of Ambassador Illiya Damagum.

Yayari, the Acting National Treasurer  was, a couple of days ago, appointed the Acting National Chairman after the Party was engulfed in suspension and counter-suspension drama which saw Damagum’s suspended by a faction of the Party after his own faction suspended a couple of others, including the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba. It was Ologunagba’s faction which turned round and suspended Damagum and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

But nine Governors of the Party, on Sunday, say they fully back Yayari’s appointment.

This decision was  a product of a virtual meeting the Governors held on October 12, 2024.

According to a report, “it signals a collective effort by the party’s leadership to ensure unity and internal cohesion”.

The Party has, in the past one year and counting, been engulfed in crisis, and has not been able to put itself together, discipline its members who are engulfed in anti-party activities, or play its role as a major opposition party.

According to reports, ”the meeting of the Governors was driven by the desire to strengthen the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the Governors reiterated their commitment to upholding the party’s constitution and ensuring internal disputes are resolved amicably and within the framework of party rules.”

Those who attended the meeting, virtually, are:

*Governor Siminalayi Fubara – Rivers State

*Governor Douye Diri -Bayelsa State

*Governor Godwin Obaseki -Edo State

*Governor Peter Mbah -Enugu State –

*Governor Ademola Adeleke Osun State

*Governor  Umo Eno -Akwa Ibom State

Some the  resolutions they took include:

• Unanimous endorsement of the suspension of Iliya Damagum as Acting National Chairman.
• Appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Yayari, the PDP’s National Treasurer, as the new Acting National Chairman.
• Reaffirmation of their commitment to the party’s constitution and internal democratic principles.
• Resolution to handle any internal conflicts through the established channels and promote party unity.

Prominent among the Governors who did not attend the meeting include Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, a core loyalist of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, both new supporters of Damagum.