PDP crisis: Damagum may step down next week

Indications emerged on Tuesday that Ambassador Umar Damagum, the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been offered an opportunity to step down from his position next week.

Daily Trust gathered that the decision was reached by the party’s governors yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Sources privy to the details of the meeting and a virtual gathering held earlier on Monday, stated that the governors were rattled by the factionalisation of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and resolved to unite for preservation of the party.

At yesterday’s meeting, convened before the official flag-off of the PDP governorship campaign rally in Ondo State, it was gathered that the governors agreed to allow Damagum to retain his position as acting national chairman until the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for October 24.

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Daily Trust gathered that the acting chairman, Damagum and Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South) were present at the meeting. Also present were the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Balam Mohammed, along with governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Ademola Adeleke (Osun), among other party chieftains.

Yesterday’s meeting was a continuation of the PDP Governors’ Forum’s virtual meeting which took place on Monday. During the meeting of Monday, Governor Adeleke reportedly expressed disappointment over how the crisis had led to the factionalisation of the NWC, expressing fears that it could negatively impact his bid for a second term in 2026, being the first among the party’s first-term governors to be up for a re-election.

Adeleke reportedly challenged Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State for not supporting the North-Central’s bid to retain the chairmanship, despite being from the zone and also a first-term governor.

Mutfwang reportedly replied that based on recent developments, he was now in favour of a chairman emerging from the North-Central, following the party’s constitution to resolve the impasse.

Mutfwang, alongside governors Makinde, Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba), is believed to have initially opposed Damagum’s removal. This quartet is thought to be allied with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whom Damagum has allegedly been supporting.

However, it was gathered that Makinde, believed to be the leader of the quartet, proposed at the virtual meeting of Monday that even if Damagum were to leave, he should be given a soft landing. Consequently, the meeting was postponed to yesterday to include Damagum.

Daily Trust further gathered that at yesterday’s meeting, the governors agreed that while Damagum continues as acting chairman for the next few days, the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting would be used to ratify the North-Central’s nomination for the position. The NEC meeting will also discuss potential dates for a national convention.

Members to withdraw pending cases

Additionally, the meeting resolved to impress on members to withdraw all pending court cases related to the party’s national leadership crisis.

It would be recalled that a Federal High Court in Abuja last Friday ordered the party’s NEC and Board of Trustees (BoT) to refrain from removing Damagum as the party’s acting national chair.

Justice Peter Lifu issued the ruling hours after a faction of the NWC led by Ahmed Yayari Mohammed announced Damagum’s suspension, ordering that no other person should be recognised as the PDP acting national chair until the party’s convention scheduled for December 2025.

Governors ask factional leader to vacate office, lift suspensions

Meanwhile, in a communiqué issued by the PDP Governors’ Forum at the end of their virtual meeting on Monday, and subsequently along with the NWC members yesterday, the governors resolved that “the NWC should revert to the status quo and remain united in the interest of the party and the nation.”

Based on their decision, along with consultations with the BoT, the NWC and other party organs, they also resolved that “all suspensions issued on officials across the party within the NWC have been lifted forthwith.”

It would be recalled that the Damagum-led NWC had suspended the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), while the Yayari Mohammed-led faction declared that it suspended Damagum and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

In the communiqué, the governors reiterated that “there are no factions in the party and minor issues should not be blown out of proportion.

“We also urge that occupants of positions of responsibility should be mindful of their vow to serve and grow the party from strength to strength, consolidating on the dreams of our founding fathers”, it said.

The communiqué, signed by the chairman of the forum, Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), listed attendees at the meetings to include: the forum’s Vice Chairman, Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Senator Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and Godwin Obaseki (Edo).

Others are: Makinde (Oyo), Adeleke (Osun), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Fintiri (Adamawa), Mutfwang (Plateau), and Peter Mbah (Enugu).