Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, on Saturday expressed his support for the newly appointed factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, AbdulRahman Mohammed.
NPO Reported earlier that the Samuel Anyawu-led faction of the party had on Saturday suspended the Usman Damagun-led faction.
After its suspension, the faction had gone ahead to appoint Mohammed as the acting National Chairman after the National Working Committee of the party had suspended Anyawu.
Fayose, hours after the emergence of the new factional chairman said Reacting to the emergence of Abdulrahman Mohammed, Fayose said the PDP was in dire need of a new direction.
He urged Mohammed step in immediately to provide the new direction
“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 was quoted as saying in a statement made available online by his former media aide, who is currently an aide to the FCT Minister, Mr. Lere Olayinka.
He went ahead, “Most importantly, he should look into the shenanigans and injustice done in States like Ekiti and others with a view to correcting them in accordance with the party constitution and existing court pronouncements. “He should also be a team player and ensure the emergence of a new National Working Committee through a valid National Convention, which should be done immediately after outstanding congresses are held in states and zones, and those done against court judgements are revisited,” Fayose said.
In the wake of their suspension, Anyawu and other members of the faction backed by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, held a Press briefing in Abuja where they announced the suspension of Damagum and five other members of the NWC.
As contained in a post shared on X by the FCT Minister’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, Anyanwu, announced the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the Acting National Chairman.
Also suspended by the faction, was the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, issuing statements without the party’s approval.
“Unfortunately, some people may say that the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary who has the responsibility of monitoring everything and the National Legal Adviser, who is responsible for all legal issues, were purportedly suspended.
“On this note, we decided to suspend the National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, for incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgment. He has been suspended for one month and should face the Disciplinary Committee.
“Secondly, we also suspended the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for issuing statements without the party’s approval, and the Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, has also been suspended.
“The National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, who has been involved in alleged financial misconduct, has also been suspended.
“The National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, have also been suspended for 30 days. All of them will be sent to the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled.
“Therefore, we are announcing the National Vice Chairman (North Central) to serve as the Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman.” Anyawu declared.
