Governors elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will meet today to decide whether the much-anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party scheduled for Thursday will go ahead as planned.
The meeting, it was gathered, was called following indications that fresh efforts to extend the tenure of the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, had gained momentum ahead of the scheduled meeting.
Despite a reported agreement reached last week in Akure, where governors and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) concurred that Damagum should step down during the upcoming NEC meeting, sources indicate that loyalists are rallying to ensure he remains in office at least until after the November 16 Ondo State governorship election.
Daily Trust gathered that the initial agreement for Damagum to step aside was intended as a resolution to ease tensions within the party.
Governors and senior party figures had pushed for the return of the chairmanship to the North Central zone, aiming to address the internal crisis that has plagued the party since the 2023 presidential election loss to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, a new push from Damagum’s supporters, spearheaded by governors such as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and his Plateau State counterpart, Caleb Mutfwang, seeks to give him a “soft landing” by allowing him to voluntarily resign after the Ondo election, rather than during Thursday’s NEC meeting. This strategy is said to be gaining traction among his loyalists, especially due to the perceived inactivity of the North Central zone in nominating a successor. This has led to a growing belief that NEC might once again be postponed or held under contentious circumstances.
NEC meeting faces another postponement
The PDP has been in turmoil since its defeat in the 2023 general election which saw the ruling APC retain power. Efforts by various stakeholders, including the party’s governors, to resolve the ensuing leadership crisis have yet to yield substantial results. The upcoming NEC meeting, viewed as a potential turning point for the party, is now overshadowed by the uncertainty surrounding Damagum’s fate.
The NEC meeting has already been delayed twice. Originally set for August 15, the meeting was postponed to September 26 due to members travelling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. It was later rescheduled for October 24 because several state congresses remained incomplete, leaving key party positions unfilled.
Multiple sources within the party leadership have expressed concerns that the internal divisions could prevent the NEC from reaching an amicable resolution.
One party insider revealed that although there is consensus among most governors that Damagum should step aside, key conditions such as the withdrawal of court cases and the North Central zone’s selection of a replacement have not yet been met. This delay, the source said, raises doubts about whether the NEC meeting will proceed as planned.
“We need those who went to court to withdraw their cases, and the North Central zone needs to choose a replacement. None of these steps have been completed yet, so even if NEC takes place this Thursday, another meeting might be needed in December to finalise the transition,” the source told Daily Trust.
Another factor contributing to the uncertainty is the number of unresolved internal party matters that require NEC’s attention.
Tim Osadolor, a member of the NEC and the PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, said ongoing state congresses, particularly in Abia, Ebonyi, and Edo, need to be completed before the party can move forward.
“There are several issues that NEC needs to resolve, but many of these are still pending.
“For example, the Ondo State governorship election is fast approaching, and state congresses in places like Abia, Ebonyi, and Edo are not yet concluded. Anambra’s congress was postponed last week due to security concerns, and we still have five or six states with unfinished congresses,” Osadolor said.
Osadolor added that NEC committees assigned to tackle some of these issues are still working on their reports, making it difficult to conduct a comprehensive discussion at scheduled Thursday’s meeting.
“NEC cannot address these matters halfway,” he said, adding that, “It would be better to wait additional two or three weeks and have a full discussion where everything is on the table.”
Behind-the-scenes moves
Governors who were initially in favour of Damagum’s removal are now reportedly working behind the scenes to extend his tenure until December.
Sources within the party reveal that Makinde and Mutfwang have been lobbying their colleagues to allow Damagum to remain in office until after the Ondo State governorship election on November 16.
Their argument is that a leadership change at this critical moment could disrupt the party’s strategy in the election, potentially harming its chances of success.
A source close to the governors told Daily Trust that they believe the transition process should be handled carefully to avoid further internal discord.
North Central aspirants gear up
Meanwhile, in the North Central zone, aspirants are positioning themselves to take over from Damagum. Several prominent figures from Benue State, the home state of suspended former PDP chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, are vying for the position.
Former Senate President David Mark is among those being considered to fill the role. While Mark has yet to officially declare his candidacy, some party stakeholders are pushing for him to step in, viewing him as a stabilising force that could rebuild the party after months of infighting. Mark’s long-standing involvement with the PDP, dating back to its founding in 1998, coupled with his experience as Senate president, makes him a respected figure within the party.
Another key contender is former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, who represented Benue North East in the 9th Senate. Since indicating his interest in succeeding Damagum, Suswan has faced resistance from his political rival, former Governor Samuel Ortom. Despite this opposition, Suswam remains a strong candidate, pledging to reposition the PDP if given the opportunity to lead.
Dr Emmanuel Agbo, the Director General of the PDP Governors Forum, is also in the running. Agbo, who previously served as the party’s Deputy National Secretary, is reportedly backed by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. His appointment as DG was seen as a way to placate members of the North Central zone following Ayu’s suspension, and he is now considered a serious contender for the chairmanship.
Phillip Salawu, former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, has also thrown his hat into the ring. He argues that other states within the North Central zone should be given the chance to complete Ayu’s term, rather than the chairmanship remaining in Benue State.
Engineer Conrad Utaan, who secured a judgment that confirmed Ayu’s suspension, is another potential candidate. Utaan, from the same senatorial zone as Ayu, claims he is best suited to complete Ayu’s tenure.
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