Conflict Erupts in Nigeria’s Opposition Party

A developing crisis has hit the ranks of Nigeria’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with the suspension of National Chairman Umar Damagum by a faction of the party’s National Working Committee. This move has been welcomed by Ikenga Ugochinyere, the spokesman for the opposition Federal Lawmakers Coalition. However, a court order has been issued, restraining the National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees of the PDP from removing Damagum from office, citing that only the national convention of the party can elect new national officers.

The controversy began when Yayari Mohammed, the incumbent national treasurer of the PDP, was appointed as the Acting National Chairman by the party’s working committee following the suspension of Damagum and others. However, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has intervened, issuing a restraining order against the PDP National Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, and others, which bars them from removing Damagum from office until the party’s national convention in December next year.

Justice Lifu’s ruling was based on Articles 42, 47, and 67 of the PDP, which state that new national officers can only be elected at the national convention of the party. However, Ugochinyere, the spokesman for the opposition Federal Lawmakers Coalition, has disagreed with the court order, stating that it does not prevent the National Working Committee from suspending Damagum. He insisted that Yayari Mohammed remains the acting chairman until the party’s NEC meeting later this month, and urged the courts to stay away from PDP internal affairs.

As the party’s crisis deepens, it remains to be seen how the complex web of court orders, party rules, and political wrangling will be resolved. For now, the fate of Damagum, Yayari Mohammed, and the PDP’s future hangs in the balance.