Fijabi Olanrewaju
RECENTLY appointed National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, has asked the North-Central caucus of the party to meet and forward its nominee to his office for necessary preparation and forwarding for consideration and approval by the National Executive Committee (NEC)) off the party which is expected to meet on 24 October 2024.
Mr Ahmed Yayari Mohammed was appointed National Chairman of the party on Thursday, 10 October 2024, by a faction opposed to the continued stay in office by erstwhile officeholder, Ambassador Illiya Damagum.
According to Mohammed, whose position is contained in his acceptance speech, his primary goal, focus and mandate is to restore the confidence of party members by immediately setting in motion the process to hold the long overdue National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
Mr Ahmed Yayari Mohammed’s acceptance speech is hereunder reproduced.
ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT AS THE ACTING NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF OUR PARTY, THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)
Dear Party Members,
It is with the deepest sense of duty that I address you at this time. The domestic events within our party in the last few days call for deep reflection about the management of the PDP especially at this crucial time in our nation, particularly as it relates to our role as an opposition party and general management as a Constitution compliant party in the true spirit of the mission and vision of the founding fathers which are equity, fairness and justice.
I am humbled and grateful for the numerous messages of solidarity, support and best wishes received from members of our party across the country. The enthusiasm and relief expressed revealed the desire and determination of our members to see a PDP that is strong, democratic and based on strict adherence to its Constitution.
Regrettably, we must admit that we have not satisfactorily carried out the critical role expected of a virile opposition in a democracy. This, it has been observed, is a result of a conflict of interests – personal or political – elevated above party interest, which continues to have a debilitating effect on the ability of our party to perform effectively at various levels, particularly at the national level.
This state of affairs continues to affect the performance and viability of our party to perform its role as expected as a platform which Nigerians have come to admire and look up to in view of the robust Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and the monumental achievements of the party in the sixteen years in government, which period is referred to with nostalgia as the golden years of governance in Nigeria.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, desirous of revamping the party in line with the vision of its founding fathers, on Thursday, 10 October 2024 appointed me as the Acting National Chairman to lead the charge to rekindle the hope and aspiration of our teeming members especially the youths, critical stakeholders and generality of Nigerians who wish to see a political party that is ready and willing to play the role of effective opposition in the quest to develop our democracy and seek for responsible and responsive government in our country.
The NWC, under my leadership, will be guided strictly by the Constitution of our party, and I will at all times be fair to all members irrespective of their status, position or state in the party. Only this will guarantee and engender loyalty and commitment of our teeming members.
In this regard, my primary goal, focus and mandate in the onerous assignment is to restore the confidence of our members by immediately setting in motion the process to hold the long overdue National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of our party already scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024.
In line with the provision of our party’s Constitution, the North Central Zone which is constitutionality entitled to produce a replacement to serve out the tenure of the former National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu is hereby requested to urgently meet and forward its nominee to my office for necessary preparation and forwarding for consideration and approval by NEC at the 24 October 2024 meeting.
I hereby seek and solicit the cooperation, support and advice from my colleagues NWC members, all organs of the party especially the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), the National Assembly Caucus as well as leaders, critical stakeholders and members towards a successful NEC meeting that we can all be proud of.
Thank you all for the opportunity to serve. Together we can restore the glory of our Party and uphold the sustenance of Democracy in our Country.
Ahmed Yayari Mohammed
Acting National Chairman
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
October 13, 2024
Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that the main opposition party is divided into two factions, one led by Ambassador Umar Damagum and the other by Mr Mohammed.
Also, last week, Justice Peter Lifu of a Federal High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, restrained the NEC and Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party from removing Ambassador Damagum as its Acting National Chairman.
The court ordered that no other person must be recognized as PDP national chairman other than Damagum until the national convention of the party scheduled for December next year.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the restraining order against PDP NEC, BoT, and others while delivering judgment in a suit instituted against them by Senator Umar El-Gash Maina.
Eighteen-Eleven Media