A member of the camp of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has expressed dissatisfaction with the recent resolution by the governors to revert the National Working Committee (NWC) back to the status quo under Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
This development follows the announcement made by the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who declared on Tuesday that internal conflicts within the party had been resolved and that suspensions had been lifted.
The decision allows for Damagum to retain his position amid ongoing factional disputes within the party.
The tensions escalated when Damagum’s faction of the NWC announced the suspension of National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) for alleged insubordination and actions deemed detrimental to the party’s interests.
In a swift counteraction, Ologunagba stated that the NWC had suspended Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu for disloyalty, subsequently appointing National Treasurer Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the acting National Chairman.
The source, who also spoke anonymously with Punch on Wike’s camp position said, “The minister is not pleased with the decision to restore the suspended NWC members. It’s well known that they have been undermining Wike’s interests, and he wanted them out of the party. Wike is backing Damagum and will continue to do so.”
On his part, Atiku’s 2019 presidential campaign spokesperson, Umar Sani, clarified that Damagum didn’t have to leave the party but should return to his original position as Deputy National Chairman (North).
In an exclusive interview with Punch on Wednesday, Sani stated that this aligned with the party’s constitution.
He stated, “We are not saying he should go; he’s not going anywhere. He is only reverting to the status quo of the position he was elected to. Nobody is interested in or agitating for him to leave.
“What we are saying is that, for the sake of equity, fairness and justice, North Central was elected to that position, and it is North Central that should complete it. That is the position of our party’s constitution.”