PDP crisis: N/Central to present Damagum’s replacement before Nov 28

The North Central Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has kickstarted the process of appointing a replacement for acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, ahead of November 28, the new date for the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

According to party sources, discussions are underway, with a formal decision expected after the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State. 

It was gathered that the North Central PDP leadership, under the guidance of Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, confirmed their readiness to provide a substantive national chairman to complete Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s tenure.

The decision was taken at the Tuesday meeting of stakeholders at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge, which included various party organs, such as the PDP National Working Committee, the Board of Trustees, the National Assembly leadership, and the Forum of Former PDP Governors.

Sources from the meeting confirmed that the governors’ position for Damagum to vacate his position to make way for a new chairman from the North Central zone has gained broader support among party stakeholders.

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Daily Trust earlier reported that the October 24 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting was deemed too soon for Damagum’s exit. He has now been given until November to oversee the Ondo State governorship election and the transition to a new leader. 

Governors loyal to Damagum, led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, were instrumental in pushing back his exit date, Daily Trust gathered.

The PDP governors argued that it would be unwise to change leadership just weeks before the Ondo State governorship election. As a result, the NEC meeting has been rescheduled from October 24 to November 28, 2024.

With Damagum’s departure imminent, several aspirants have already begun subtle campaigns to gain the support of the zone and complete Ayu’s term. 

Leading candidates include former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, former Kogi State deputy governor, Philip Salawu, former PDP deputy national secretary, Emmanuel Agbo, and Engineer Conrad Utaan. Some party members are also still courting former Senate president, David Mark, hoping he would agree to lead the party.

Why NEC meeting was postponed

In a communiqué signed by Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, the party stressed that the postponement of the NEC meeting was essential for maintaining unity ahead of the November 16 Ondo gubernatorial election. The party aims to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

“Rising from the consultative meeting of various organs of the PDP, the party has resolved that the National Executive Committee meeting, originally slated for October 24, has been rescheduled to November 28, 2024.

“The postponement is to ensure that the party approaches the forthcoming Ondo gubernatorial elections on November 16, 2024, with the unity and strength required to unseat the struggling APC government in the state,” the communiqué read. 

It emphasised the need for unity within the party, warning against divisive rhetoric. It urged members to resist any efforts to undermine ongoing attempts to solidify the PDP’s position as the primary opposition party in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

Before the closed-door session of the meeting, Governor Bala Mohammed addressed the media, stating that the gathering was not solely for PDP governors but was a comprehensive meeting of PDP stakeholders.

He reiterated the party’s commitment to resisting any attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

Governors in attendance at the meeting included Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau). Other key figures present were acting national chairman, Umar Damagum; former Senate President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Adolphus Wabara; former Kaduna State governor and secretary of the BoT, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi; national secretary Samuel Anyanwu; national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba; national treasurer, Ahmed Yayari Muhammed; and Senate minority leader, Senator Abba Morro, among others.

The PDP hopes that resolving the leadership question ahead of the November 28 NEC meeting will help solidify its position and prepare the party for future electoral challenges.