The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has survived the plot to remove him from his position.
This is even as the camp of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has been harder to ensure he retains the post including some of the Minister’s loyalists in various positions.
In anticipation of today’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, discussions among party officials have centered on whether Damagum should retain his role or be replaced.
Formerly serving as the PDP National Deputy Chairman (North), Damagum assumed the acting National Chairman position following the court’s suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu. This followed a request by PDP member Terhide Utaan, prompted by a vote of no confidence passed on Ayu by his ward executives in Benue State.
Although 60 members of the House of Representatives called for Damagum’s removal and the appointment of a substantive chairman from the North Central region, the House minority caucus, led by Kingsley Chinda, distanced themselves from the group.
A House of Representatives PDP Caucus meeting on Tuesday ended discordantly, with members divided over Damagum’s continuation.
Despite efforts to garner support for Damagum from lawmakers aligned with Wike, the primary objective of the pre-NEC meeting, to endorse Damagum with a vote of confidence, faced obstacles.
On Wednesday, the PDP’s National Working Committee reiterated full support for Damagum. However, after a Wednesday caucus meeting, the North Central Zone unanimously decided to nominate the next national chairman of the party.
Following the National Caucus meeting early Thursday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba disclosed that Damagum would remain as acting national chairman until the subsequent NEC meeting.
Ologunagba stated, “The caucus did not deliberate on this matter because there are numerous complexities regarding leadership at this time. Therefore, this matter was deferred to the upcoming NEC meeting. Our priority is maintaining party unity as we navigate through these issues without causing division.”
The PDP National Caucus discussed various party matters, including forthcoming congresses, reconstitution of disciplinary and reconciliation committees, tenure extension for the Constitution Review Committee, and fundraising initiatives.
Ologunagba emphasized the party’s commitment to unity, adherence to the constitution, and a succession plan aligning with current circumstances, including ongoing court processes.