The PDP National Youth Frontier, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth support group, has urged the party’s leadership to allow the North-Central part of the country to produce its next national chairman.

The leader of the group, Austin Okai, made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday in Abuja, ahead of the much-anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party.

According to him, the position of the national chairman that rightfully belongs to the North-Central region is now being challenged.

“But let me be clear that you cannot change the rules in the middle of the game,” he said.

Mr Okai claimed there were underground plots to weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections by installing the current acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, as substantive chairman following the exit of Iyorchia Ayu.

He is from Damagum in Fune Local Government Area of Yobe state, northeastern Nigeria.

According to him, the PDP is at crossroads, where its very essence is under threat, alleging attempts to undermine the democratic process within the party.

The PDP youth leader recalled that Solomon Lar from the region was replaced by Barnabas Gemade, who was later replaced by Audu Ogbeh, while Mr Ogbe was replaced by Ahmadu Ali, all from the North-Central.

“After the position was moved to the South East, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor was elected, who was later replaced by Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, before moving to the North-East where Alhaji Bamanga Tukur to Adamu Muazu; Muazu to Modu Sheriff.

“Ayu was duly elected in a meticulously organised national convention.

“His mandate was given to him by the collective will of party members, and it is not for any individual, from any corner of our great nation, to swoop in and seize what is rightfully his.

“The principles of democracy dictate that the will of the people must prevail, as it is a fundamental tenet of our party, one that we have fought for, bled for, and sacrificed for.

“We cannot allow it to be trampled upon by the ambitions of a few,” he said.

Mr Okai advised against acts capable of subverting the will of the people by disregarding the democratic process within the PDP.

“I call upon each and every one of you to stand up and be counted; stand up for democracy, justice and principles that have guided us for so long.

“Together, we will prevail; together, we will uphold the values that make us who we are and together, we will ensure that the voice of the people is heard, respected and honoured,” he said.

When contacted, PDP national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the allegation as baseless and unsubstantiated.

(NAN)