With just 24 hours to the scheduled National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is deeply divided. The conflict centers on whether Umar Damagum, the party’s acting National Chairman, should remain in his position. Governors and party leaders are split, creating uncertainty around the NEC meeting.
Some prominent figures, particularly those aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, insist Damagum will stay. On the other hand, a faction led by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, is pushing for his removal and has even sought a court order to prevent any action that could lead to the cancellation of Thursday’s NEC meeting. The lawsuit, filed in Zamfara State, aims to protect Damagum’s position and counter earlier court decisions against him.
Despite these efforts, many party members argue that support from PDP governors is essential for the meeting to proceed. As of Tuesday evening, the official notice for the NEC meeting had not been sent to members, raising doubts about whether it will hold as planned. The party’s internal divisions run deep, with some governors, particularly from the South-West, North-East, and North-Central regions, pushing for a postponement of the meeting. Meanwhile, others remain adamant that the meeting must proceed.
At the heart of this division is the question of who will occupy the PDP’s National Chairmanship. Those in favor of holding the meeting believe that a decision should be made to install a new chairman from the North-Central region, with Damagum returning to his previous role as deputy national chairman. However, another group argues that Damagum should stay in office until the next party convention.
Further complicating matters, there is fear that yet another court order could emerge, halting the NEC meeting entirely. Amidst these tensions, high-profile members like former Senate President David Mark and ex-Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam are being considered as potential replacements for Damagum.
Within the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), sources reveal that the situation has grown increasingly complex due to the numerous court rulings in Damagum’s favor. One NWC member stated that unless Damagum voluntarily steps down, removing him could prove legally difficult. The intricate legal landscape surrounding the case, combined with the ongoing disagreements among PDP governors, has made finding a solution challenging.
Additionally, the party’s constitution adds another layer of uncertainty, with unclear guidelines on the NEC’s power over the NWC. While the NEC has the authority to dissolve state committees, its ability to take similar action at the national level remains disputed. This legal ambiguity, paired with a growing number of court orders, has left the party in a difficult position.
Party Elders Express Concern
Former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Bode George, has expressed his disappointment with the current state of the party, accusing it of straying from the ideals of its founders. He pointed to the ongoing leadership crisis and called for serious reflection during the upcoming NEC meeting, where he plans to attend. George lamented that the party has lost its way since the 2022 presidential primaries, where tensions escalated after Aminu Tambuwal, the former Governor of Sokoto State, dramatically endorsed Atiku Abubakar.
George also criticized the actions of PDP leaders during the convention, suggesting that the party’s current challenges could have been avoided if earlier decisions were handled differently. He expressed frustration at the internal power struggles, which, in his view, have allowed divisive forces to take root within the party.
PDP Must Focus on the Nation’s Welfare
As the drama unfolds, former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan, urged members to focus on the nation’s needs rather than internal power struggles. He warned that reducing the party’s issues to a conflict between Wike and Atiku misses the larger point of addressing national concerns. He emphasized that the PDP’s role in nation-building must remain a priority, and the party must not allow itself to become a pawn in the hands of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
NEC Meeting Must Hold, Says Chairmanship Aspirant
Conrad Utaan, a PDP chairmanship hopeful, has voiced strong support for holding the NEC meeting as scheduled. According to Utaan, postponing the meeting would be detrimental to the party. He stressed that the NEC is a constitutional requirement, and its occurrence should not depend on individual whims within the party. Utaan also defended Damagum’s current role, stating that he holds his position according to the PDP constitution, which provides for an acting chairman in the absence of a substantive national chairman.
