PDP crisis: Damagum to remain chairman
Umar Damagum has perfected the plot to remain as the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) until next year, ahead of the party’s National Executive Committee meeting on November 28.
Punch reports that the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) will meet with the 36 PDP state chairmen and the FCT chairman at the party’s headquarters, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja, on Wednesday (today).
A senior figure in the PDP leadership revealed that most of the chairmen have arrived in Abuja on Tuesday, suggesting that the meeting could be related to the upcoming NEC.
Since assuming the position of acting national chairman following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s removal by the court, Damagum has faced growing criticism from party leaders amid the ongoing PDP crisis, with increasing calls for his resignation.
His alleged lack of decisiveness was blamed for the worsening political crisis in Rivers State between Governor Siminalaye Fubara and his predecessor, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
During the 98th NEC meeting held on April 18, the party leaders agreed to decide Damagum’s future at the 99th NEC meeting.
The 99th NEC meeting, originally set for August 15, was first postponed to October 24, and later rescheduled to November 28, 2024.
The source indicated that recent developments within the party and the actions of key stakeholders point to Damagum continuing in his role until further notice.
He stated, “The NEC meeting will proceed as planned, but Damagum will continue as the party’s acting national chairman until further notice. This is because many members and key stakeholders are now less focused on replacing him for a term shorter than 10 months when they could instead have a permanent chairman who would serve a full 4-year term.
“The delay in finding a replacement has led many to lose interest in the matter. With an elective PDP convention scheduled between October and November 2025, party leaders have shifted their focus to managing Damagum, despite his shortcomings, until the next convention. This convention will elect a new NWC for a 4-year term and select party candidates for the 2027 elections.
“In addition to these reasons, there are ongoing legal disputes surrounding the issue. While these can potentially be navigated, some party leaders want to avoid actions that could lead to more litigation.
“Moreover, the Wike group backing Damagum has expanded its influence into the North-Central zone. As a result, the zone, led by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, has not yet convened to propose a replacement for Damagum. Therefore, Damagum will remain in his acting role for now.”
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