BREAKING: PDP Officially Lifts Suspension on National Working Committee Members, Declares Crisis Over

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lifted the suspension on its National Working Committee (NWC) members, prioritizing party unity and progress. This announcement was made by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday. Mohammed confirmed that the crisis that had been rocking the party has been resolved.

Present at the briefing alongside the governor were Umar Damagum, the acting national chair of the PDP, and other senior party members. Mohammed explained that after a series of meetings involving PDP governors, the Board of Trustees (BoT), and other key party organs, it was agreed that the NWC should revert to the status quo, effectively nullifying the suspensions that had been enacted within the party.

“I want to inform you on behalf of the PDP Governors Forum, the chairman of the Senate caucus, and the representative of the BoT. We had a family meeting and we wish to reaffirm that there is no faction in the PDP,” Mohammed said. He emphasized that all suspensions had been resolved amicably by the governors, the NWC, the national assembly caucus, and the BoT.

“There is no faction. Everything has reverted to the status quo under acting chairman Damagum, pending further discussions by the governors and other organs of the party. There is no political party that does not have problems. Some of them are legal, and we do not want to preempt the outcome of legal procedures,” he said.

Mohammed also dismissed rumors and speculations that the party was in disarray, stating that both sides of the divide had come to an agreement for the sake of the party and the country. He added, "Both parties have agreed that, in the interest of the PDP and Nigeria, we should return to the status quo before the suspension and counter-suspension."

The governor confirmed that the suspensions of NWC members imposed by various factions had been lifted. “These suspensions have been lifted. There are no more suspensions. That is the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum,” he said.

Addressing party members, Mohammed urged them to remain steadfast, reminding them that the PDP is the most experienced political party in Nigeria, having produced the government and good governance since 1999. He stressed the importance of not allowing personal grievances to create divisions within the party.

Mohammed further disclosed that the PDP governors, BoT, and NWC would meet ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for October 24. He assured members that further discussions would take place to address any lingering issues.

Umar Damagum, the acting national chair, also called on members to obey the instructions of the Governors’ Forum, emphasizing the critical role of party leadership. “There is no crisis in the party as far as I am concerned. But some people want to take advantage of the situation,” he stated. He reiterated that the governors were key to maintaining unity within the party and urged all members to align with the decisions of the party leadership.

Both Mohammed and Damagum were headed to Ondo for a PDP governorship rally, where they plan to continue projecting a unified front as the party works toward resolving its internal disputes.

The PDP, which has been a dominant force in Nigerian politics since 1999, has recently been engulfed in a crisis that divided its NWC. The internal conflict intensified in 2022 when a faction within the NWC suspended the acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, and the national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, over allegations of anti-party activities. In response, the Damagum-led faction suspended the national legal adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, and the national spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba.

In a further twist, a faction loyal to Ologunagba announced the appointment of Yayari Mohammed as acting national chairman. However, the Federal High Court in Abuja has since intervened, restraining the PDP's NEC and BoT from removing Damagum from office until the party’s convention in December 2025. This court ruling has further complicated the crisis but also solidified Damagum’s position as acting national chairman. While the PDP navigates this tumultuous period, it remains to be seen how the party will emerge from this crisis and restore its status as a stable and effective opposition party in Nigeria.