The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set aside and overruled the earlier suspension of the Kwara state PDP youth leader Prince Haliru Dantsoho Mahmud.

The decision was taken during the NWC at its 578th meeting and was communicated to the chapter of the party in a letter signed by PDP national organising secretary, Umar M. Bature.

However, a statement by the national publicity secretary of PDP, Hon Debo Ologunagba, directed that all pending Intra-Party litigations across the country should be withdrawn forthwith.

According to the letter, Bature expressed the non satisfaction of stipulated and laid down rules by the Kwara state PDP chapter when suspending its youth leader.

The NWC also noted that the vacant offices and the replacement within the Kwara State Working Committee and regret to inform the State Chapter that these replacements could not be approved because they too did not follow due process.

The NWC emphasised that the officers appointed are not only members of the state executive committee but also members of the zonal executive committee.

He said such actions taken by the Kwara PDP ought to have gone through the zonal executive committee before being forwarded to the national working committee.

He cited section 45(2) of the PDP constitution 2017 (as amended) which specifically and mandatorily requires the holding of a Congress and election to fill in vacant positions.

Therefore, he noted that appointment or selection of persons is an improper mode of filling a vacancy in elective positions.

He said while Prince Haliru Dantsoho Mahmud remains the recognised Kwara PDP Kwara State PDP Youth Leader, all the decisions taken by his suspension and replacement of State Working Committee members are set- aside/overruled.

However, the national publicity secretary of PDP, Hon Debo Ologunagba party in a statement said “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its 578th meeting on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, thoroughly reviewed the state of the Party and directed that all pending Intra-Party litigations across the country should be withdrawn forthwith.

“This decision of the NWC is pursuant to the provision of Section 58 (1)(l) of the Constitution of the PDP as amended in 2017 and in line with the spirit of unity and reconciliation in the Party.

“The NWC urges all Party leaders, critical stakeholders and members across the country to remain united and continue to promote the values for which the PDP is known as a truly democratic Party.

“Also, the NWC considered and approved the report of the Establishment Committee for the appointment of a substantive Director General of the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI). The successful candidate will be announced in due course,” the statement added.