Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose, has publicly declared himself the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), sparking internal tensions by suspending prominent party members.
In a shocking move, Fayose announced the suspensions of top figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, his brother Ayo Fayose, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, as well as other members of the G5 group.
“It’s official; I’m the new national chairman of the PDP,” Fayose stated, adding that he had taken steps to secure the party’s headquarters.
“The current [Acting] National Chairman, Mr. Damagum, has been suspended, and I’ve asked security at Wadata House to keep the key with the Secretariat.”
In his message, Fayose did not mince words about the grounds for suspension, emphasizing that dissenters should seek legal redress rather than create disorder within the party.
“If you’re not happy, please, we don’t want you to come to the secretariat to make trouble. You can go to court,” he declared, affirming his suspension of “all the people doing anti-party.” His list included heavyweights, notably Atiku, whom he claimed had become a “headache” to the party.
This declaration comes amid an ongoing internal battle. Recently, a faction of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) suspended Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade.
However, in a recent ruling, the Abuja Federal High Court issued a restraining order preventing any changes to Damagum’s position, asserting that he must remain the Acting National Chairman until the next PDP convention, scheduled for December of next year.
With court intervention maintaining Damagum’s role, Fayose’s self-appointment and his sweeping suspensions may face further legal challenges, signalling a turbulent period for PDP’s leadership structure.