Fayose declares himself PDP national chair, suspends Atiku, Wike, others (Video)

Isaac Fayose, the younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, has made a dramatic declaration, announcing himself as the new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to Naija News, this development comes amid the escalating internal crisis within the PDP, which saw two factions emerge from Nigeria’s main opposition party.

On Friday, a faction of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) declared the suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu. In retaliation, another faction suspended the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade.

Despite the leadership tussle, an Abuja Federal High Court issued an order preventing the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) from removing Damagum as Acting National Chairman. The court further ruled that no one other than Damagum should be recognized as the chairman until the party’s national convention scheduled for December of next year.

Amid the turmoil, Isaac Fayose posted a video on his social media page, boldly declaring that he had taken over the party leadership. He added that anyone dissatisfied with his declaration could challenge it in court.

In his self-declared capacity as chairman, Fayose announced the suspension of several high-profile party members, including 2023 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, former Governor Ayo Fayose, and other prominent members of the party.

In the video, Fayose stated: “It’s official, I am the new national Chairman of the PDP. The current Acting National Chairman, Mr. Damagum, has been suspended, and I’ve instructed security at Wadata House to hold the key to the Secretariat. If anyone is unhappy, they can go to court. The NWC, some of you have been suspended. The former G5 has been suspended. Wike, Fayose, Governor Seyi Makinde, and Atiku have all been suspended. Atik

BREAKING: Isaac Fayose, the brother of former Ekiti governor Ayo Fayose, announced himself as the new PDP National Chairman. He also announced the suspension of Atiku, Wike, Ayo Fayose, Seyi Makinde, and other G5 members.

He added, “If you are not happy you should go to… pic.twitter.com/88OGlsNDvw

— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) October 11, 2024