PBNU's Rais Aam has urged Yahya Cholil Staquf, known as Gus Yahya, to resign from his position as General Chairman within three days. The demand stems from a Syuriyah PBNU daily meeting on November 20, 2025, citing three main reasons involving organizational principle violations. PBNU's Secretary General calls for calm and deference to the Syuriyah.
On Thursday, November 20, 2025, a closed daily Syuriyah PBNU meeting took place at Hotel Aston City in Jakarta. The meeting produced a decision signed by PBNU's Rais Aam, Miftachul Akhyar, demanding KH Yahya Cholil Staquf's resignation from the General Chairman position.
"KH Yahya Cholil Staquf must resign from the position of General Chairman of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama within three days from the receipt of this daily syuriyah PBNU meeting decision," reads an excerpt from the minutes, quoted on November 21-22, 2025.
Three main reasons underpin the demand. First, inviting a speaker linked to international Zionism networks to the Nahdlatul Ulama National Leadership Academy (AKN NU) is seen as violating Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah An Nahdliyah teachings and the Preamble of NU's Basic Bylaws. Second, holding AKN NU amid allegations of Israeli genocide and global condemnation fulfills Article 8 letter a of NU Association Regulation No. 13 of 2025 on dishonorable dismissal for actions tarnishing the organization's reputation. Third, PBNU's financial governance is suspected of breaching syara' law, applicable regulations, Articles 97-99 of NU's Household Regulations, endangering NU's legal entity.
If Gus Yahya does not resign within three days, Syuriyah PBNU will dismiss him unilaterally. "If within three days he does not resign, the daily syuriyah PBNU meeting decides to dismiss KH Yahya Cholil Staquf as General Chairman of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama," the minutes state firmly.
In response, PBNU Secretary General Saifullah Yusuf, or Gus Ipul, called for calm among NU officials from central to branch levels. "This is an ongoing organizational dynamic. I ask all NU officials and members to remain calm, not swayed by misleading news," he said on November 21, 2025. Gus Ipul stressed the matter is handled by Syuriyah per internal mechanisms and fully deferred to the Rais Aam. He also urged increasing sholawat to preserve brotherhood and avoid spreading unclear information.