A pressure group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Concerned PDP League (CPDPL), has said the 2027 presidential ticket of the party is the major reason some PDP leaders want to sack the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
Naija News reports that the group, in a statement jointly signed by its National Secretary, Tasiu M. Muhammed, and acting Director of Publicity & Communication Comrade Justina D. Dashi, claimed that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, believe Damagum’s leadership of the party will work against their presidential ambition.
The group said Damagum’s failure to succumb to Atiku’s camp has continued to destabilize the party, stressing he is being pressured to suspend the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
According to the CPDPL, Damagum’s continued stay in office is supported by sections 47 (6), 35 (3c), and 45 (2) of the PDP constitution.
The statement read, “Our investigation revealed that, since the exit of senator Dr Iyorchia Ayu, and the emergence of Ambassador Umar Illiya Damagum, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, feels he is at the verge of losing his chances of getting the PDP presidential ticket in 2027 because, his long time political ally (Sen. Ayu) who he claimed cannot be removed without constitutional amendment, was unceremoniously booted out.
“Also, the Bauchi State governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, and presidential hopeful, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, feels happy with the exit of Senator Iyorchia Ayu but at same time feels his ambition is at stake with Ambassador Damagum’s chairmanship, since both of them are from the North East.
“What is playing out in our great party today, is all about 2027 presidential ambitions nothing more.
“He should not allow anybody to intimidate him into calling for NEC meeting.”