Can PDP Present a United Front… As  Governors Fail to Resolve Crisis

As the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepens, party members and observers are asking, “Is this a party of interests or what?” At the centre of this ongoing conflict are two factional chairmen, each laying claim to the leadership. What began as internal disagreements has now escalated into a full-blown clash, with both sides refusing to yield.

According to some experts, the origins of the PDP’s current troubles can be traced back to 2022. Internal rifts started appearing after the suspension of key party officials by the National Working Committee (NWC). The polarisation worsened more recently when factional leaders Yayari Mohammed and Umar Damagum emerged, with each faction claiming to have the legal authority to lead.

The first act took the form of the Damagum-led faction announcing the suspension of two high-ranking officials. In response, Mohammed’s faction announced their own suspensions, including Damagum himself. And even though the Federal High Court in Abuja stepped in, ruling in favour of Damagum as the legitimate acting national chairman, tensions have remained high.

PDP governors have even attempted to mediate. But so far, their efforts have yielded little success. A meeting recently held by the PDP Governors Forum was inconclusive. It seems as if the absence of unity among the governors themselves has only exacerbated the situation.

 is found soon, the implications could be disastrous for the PDP. Without a clear leader, the party could become progressively weaker ahead of future elections. More factions may even emerge to battle for control, which would undoubtedly leave the party more fractured and vulnerable.

At the moment, it is believed that the next critical moment for the party will come at the scheduled NEC meeting on October 24, 2024. Here, the party is expected to decide whether to elect a new national chairman or form a caretaker committee.

With these ongoing events, can PDP still present a united front? Is this just a power struggle, as some insiders suggest, or is it a sign of deeper issues within the party’s structure? Only time will tell if the PDP can emerge from this crisis intact.