By Hagxy Don
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), once Nigeria’s leading opposition party, is embroiled in a deepening leadership crisis that threatens its unity and relevance. The crisis took a dramatic turn in October 2024 when the party's National Working Committee (NWC) splintered into two factions, each claiming legitimacy and authority.
At the center of the storm is Umar Damagum, the acting National Chairman recognized by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Despite a restraining order from the court preventing changes to the party's leadership, an opposing faction, led by Yayari Ahmed Mohammed, has emerged, appointing its own acting chairman in defiance of the judicial directive. This move further complicates the party's internal governance as the factions jostle for control.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court has mandated that Damagum remain as acting National Chairman until the PDP’s national convention in December 2025. However, this legal clarity has done little to quell the discord within the party. Seven governors, including Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Ademola Adeleke of Osun, have openly called for Damagum’s removal, citing dissatisfaction with his leadership. Meanwhile, four governors, including Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, have thrown their weight behind him, underscoring the party's fractured state.
The crisis has also sparked fears of further division, with some stakeholders suggesting the establishment of a caretaker committee to manage the party's affairs until the current NWC’s tenure expires. Amid these tensions, calls for adherence to the PDP’s constitution and the restoration of internal democracy grow louder.
Observers argue that the party must urgently resolve its leadership crisis to present a united front ahead of the 2025 general elections. The coming months will be critical for the PDP as it navigates these turbulent waters, with its future and credibility hanging in the balance.
As the nation watches, the PDP must decide whether it will rise above this turmoil or succumb to its internal contradictions—a defining moment for a party that once prided itself on being the largest in Africa.
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