Daniel Otera
A dramatic twist unfolded at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday as Abdulrahman Mohammed, the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), forcefully declared himself Acting National Chairman, plunging the already embattled opposition party into deeper turmoil.
The development came on the heels of a factional suspension of Umar Iliya Damagum, the incumbent chairman, by a group loyal to Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the suspended National Secretary. The faction, reportedly backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had earlier announced Mohammed’s elevation during a press briefing in Abuja.
“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,” Mohammed declared, flanked by loyalists at the briefing. He lamented the party’s descent from dominance to disarray, blaming “unconscionable defections” and “poor leadership” for the PDP’s dwindling influence.
From 1999 to 2015, the PDP held sway as Nigeria’s ruling party. But since losing power to the All Progressives Congress (APC), it has struggled to maintain cohesion, suffering high-profile defections including governors, lawmakers, and local government chairmen. The crisis peaked in 2023 when internal divisions cost the party a unified presidential front, contributing to its electoral defeat.
Mohammed’s three-point agenda includes healing internal wounds, ending factionalism, and organising an all-inclusive National Convention to elect a substantive National Working Committee (NWC).
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“My job here is simple,” he said. “Reposition the party, make it law-abiding, and hand over to a properly elected NWC after concluding all outstanding congresses at the Zonal, State, Local Government and Ward levels.”
The takeover was not without drama. Earlier in the day, staff at the PDP Secretariat blocked Senator Anyanwu from accessing his office, citing his suspension by the Damagum-led NWC. The standoff escalated until police fired teargas to disperse the crowd. Damagum was absent during the fracas.
Shortly after, Mohammed and his supporters entered the building and occupied Damagum’s office, symbolically assuming control. Security operatives from the FCT Police Command were deployed to restore calm and secure the premises.
Mohammed’s declaration has sparked fresh questions about the legitimacy of his claim, as no formal National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting has ratified the change. Nonetheless, he insists consultations are ongoing and a NEC meeting will be convened soon.
“I cannot do this seemingly difficult job alone,” he said. “I will need all your support, prayers and genuine commitment to join hands on lifting our party upwards.”