Reunite Party, Conduct Fresh Convention, Fayose Urges New PDP Factional Chairman
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has congratulated the newly appointed factional acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mohammed Abdulrahman, while calling on him to swiftly reconcile party members and restore stability amid deepening internal crises.
Abdulrahman’s appointment followed the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Umar Damagum; National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba; Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo; and three others over alleged misconduct and anti-party activities.
In a statement on Saturday, Fayose urged Abdulrahman to prioritise unity and fairness as the PDP navigates one of its most turbulent phases.
He advised the new chairman to conduct all pending state and zonal congresses before organising a valid national convention to elect new leaders.
“I congratulate the new chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman. I urge him to unite the party and restore confidence in its members,” Fayose said.
He added that the chairman should “correct the injustices done in states like Ekiti and others, in line with the party constitution and court pronouncements,” and ensure that all congresses previously held in violation of judicial orders are revisited.
The former governor also emphasised the same need for teamwork and transparency within the National Working Committee (NWC), noting that the PDP’s credibility depends on how quickly it resolves its internal disputes.
His comments came amid ongoing legal and political turmoil in the opposition party.
On Friday, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, restrained the PDP from holding its planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The ruling followed a suit filed by three party members—Imo State Chairman, Austin Nwachukwu; Abia State Chairman, Amah Abraham Nnanna; and South-South Zonal Secretary, Turnah Alabh George—who argued that the PDP violated its constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 by failing to hold valid state congresses in 14 states.
Justice Omotosho upheld their claims, ruling that the party did not provide the required 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and ordered that the convention be suspended until all internal irregularities are corrected.
The decision has further widened the rift between factions loyal to Damagum and those aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, who have clashed over control of party structures in the South-South and parts of the North.
Fayose’s call for reconciliation underscores mounting pressure on the new PDP leadership to restore cohesion, enforce internal reforms, and rebuild public trust ahead of future elections.
