PDP Crisis and the Role of INEC
The ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sparked significant concern, particularly from its regional leaders. Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe, the Chairman of the PDP in the South-West, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to act with fairness and uphold the rule of law in addressing the internal conflict. He emphasized that INEC plays a crucial role in safeguarding the country’s democracy.
Ajisafe highlighted that INEC’s decisions could either strengthen or undermine democratic processes, especially when dealing with opposition parties facing internal challenges. He warned that aligning with certain government elements to weaken opposition parties, particularly the PDP, would be detrimental to the nation’s democratic fabric.
The PDP Split and Key Developments
The PDP experienced a major split last Saturday following the suspension of several key officials by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). These included the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN; Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature, for one month.
In response, loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced the suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, along with five other national officers. They also named Abdulrahman Mohammed, the Deputy National Chairman (North Central), as the new Acting National Chairman.
Mohammed led his faction to take control of the PDP national secretariat in Abuja. The new faction also canceled the party’s planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, informing INEC of their decision.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had previously halted the convention, but a state High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, later directed the Damagum-led NWC to proceed with it. On Friday, the Mohammed-led faction announced the dissolution of the PDP Board of Trustees, chaired by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara. They appointed Mao Ohuabunwa, a former senator from Abia State, as the new BoT chairman.
Ajisafe’s Response and Calls for Fairness
Commenting on these developments, Ajisafe stated that the decisions made by the Damagum-led NWC were valid and aligned with the party’s constitution. He described the factionalization and the purported cancellation of the national convention as futile efforts, urging INEC to follow the PDP constitution and guidelines in its decisions.
Referring to the new faction, Ajisafe suggested that some members were insincere in their actions, aiming to destroy the party to prevent it from participating in the 2027 general elections. He urged INEC to uphold fairness, the rule of law, and the provisions of the PDP constitution in every matter brought before it.
Ajisafe explained that the PDP constitution clearly outlines how to address issues, noting that a two-thirds majority of the party passed a resolution on the national convention. The same majority also suspended the national secretary and other members, which he described as lawful and valid decisions.
He added, “If a few people now think they can destroy our party by acting arbitrarily, we urge INEC to follow the rule of law and fairness on the matter. There is a difference between internal disagreements among members and deliberate attempts to destroy the party. These people are here to destroy the party ahead of the 2027 elections.”
The Crucial Role of INEC
Ajisafe concluded by stating that INEC is the only entity capable of saving the country’s democracy. He emphasized that the commission must adhere to the PDP constitution on the matter at hand. If INEC makes the right decisions, the situation will improve; however, if it acts otherwise, future generations will judge its actions.
“All eyes are now on INEC, and we will see how it handles the convention matter. We are expecting them at the convention. The convention will hold.”