• Abdulrahman group takes over chairman’s office amid deepening leadership crisis
A protest erupted on Monday at the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wadata Plaza in Abuja, as supporters of the factional acting National Chairman of the party, Mohammed Abdulrahman, stormed the premises.
The group, chanting solidarity songs, demanded that the National Working Committee, led by Umar Damagum, vacate the headquarters immediately.
Recall that Abdulrahman was named the acting national chairman of the party last week as the leadership crisis threatening the soul of the party worsened with the suspension of the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, for a period of one month.
In a dramatic twist, the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had converged at a separate venue in Abuja and announced the suspension of the Damagum-led NWC.
The protesters, who accused the Damagum-led leadership of mismanaging party affairs, vowed to reclaim control of the secretariat for the Abdulrahman-led faction.
Security operatives have been deployed to the area to prevent a breakdown of law and order as both factions struggle for control of the party’s edifice.
However, the faction of the party’s NWC led by Abdulrahman has taken control of the party’s National Chairman’s office.
Speaking to journalists at the office, Abdulrahman promised to unite and reposition the party in preparation for the next general election.
He also assured members of his commitment to work diligently for the party’s progress.
“We are ready to work in the interest of our dear party,” he said.