Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has distanced himself from the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has been embroiled in internal conflict since the 2023 presidential election.

The party’s troubles have revolved around disputes concerning the position of Umar Damagum, the acting national chairman.

On September 18, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who also serves as the chair of the PDP Governors’ Forum, convened a meeting with the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT).

During the meeting, Mohammed indicated that Damagum’s continued tenure as acting national chairman was no longer acceptable.

Amid the escalating tensions, Fayose, in a tweet on Saturday, clarified his stance, stating unequivocally that he has no interest in assuming the position of national chair.

He also urged the public to verify reports using his name, cautioning that there are multiple individuals bearing the Fayose surname in Nigeria.

“I am Peter Ayodele Fayose. As such, stories not clearly stating my name should be disregarded and treated as stories from any of the many other Fayoses in Nigeria,” Fayose tweeted.

He noted his disassociation from the party’s internal disputes, saying, “Most importantly, I’m not part of the drama in the party and will never be. I am also not interested in any political office, either appointed or elective.”

The crisis within the PDP deepened after Damagum was appointed acting chairman in March 2023, following the suspension of Iyorchia Ayu. 

Ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in April, party members aligned with former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar expressed concerns that Damagum was allegedly working in favor of Nyesom Wike, sparking internal rifts.

In May, a federal high court in Abuja issued a ruling preventing the PDP from removing Damagum.

Despite this, a faction of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) moved on Friday to suspend both Damagum and Sam Anyanwu, the national secretary.

The court, however, restrained the NEC and the BoT from taking any further action against Damagum or other party officials until the next national convention, scheduled for 2025.

Amid the turmoil, another faction of the PDP appointed Yayari Mohammed as the acting national chair, further complicating the party’s leadership dispute.