PDP crisis: Damagum to remain chair as NWC, state chairmen meet

Ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party 99 National Executive Committee meeting slated for November 28, there are indications that Umar Damagum has perfected plans to remain as the acting National Chairman of the party  till next year.

The PUNCH learned exclusively on Tuesday that the Damagum-led National Working Committee is scheduled to meet with the 36 PDP state chairmen and the FCT chairman at the party’s headquarters, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja, on Wednesday (today).

A senior figure in the PDP leadership, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, informed our correspondent that most of the chairmen have arrived in Abuja on Tuesday,  suggesting that the meeting could be related to the upcoming NEC.

Since assuming the position of acting national chairman following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s removal by the court, Damagum has faced growing criticism from party leaders amid the ongoing PDP crisis, with increasing calls for his resignation.

His alleged lack of decisiveness was blamed for the  worsening political crisis in Rivers State between Governor Siminalaye Fubara and his predecessor, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

During the 98th NEC meeting held on April 18, the party leaders agreed to decide Damagum’s future at the 99th NEC meeting.

The 99th NEC meeting, originally set for August 15, was first postponed to October 24, and later rescheduled to November 28, 2024.

The source indicated that recent developments within the party and the actions of key stakeholders point to Damagum continuing in his role until further notice.

He stated, “The NEC meeting will proceed as planned, but Damagum will continue as the party’s acting national chairman until further notice. This is because many members and key stakeholders are now less focused on replacing him for a term shorter than 10 months when they could instead have a permanent chairman who would serve a full 4-year term.

“The delay in finding a replacement has led many to lose interest in the matter. With an elective PDP convention scheduled between October and November 2025, party leaders have shifted their focus to managing Damagum, despite his shortcomings, until the next convention. This convention will elect a new NWC for a 4-year term and select party candidates for the 2027 elections.

“In addition to these reasons, there are ongoing legal disputes surrounding the issue. While these can potentially be navigated, some party leaders want to avoid actions that could lead to more litigation.

“Moreover, the Wike group backing Damagum has expanded its influence into the North-Central zone. As a result, the zone, led by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, has not yet convened to propose a replacement for Damagum. Therefore, Damagum will remain in his acting role for now.”

The reliable source also revealed that the acting national chairman is actively engaging with stakeholders.

He continued, “As part of these engagements, a meeting is scheduled for Wednesday (today) where Damagum and members of the NWC will meet with the 36 state chairmen and the FCT.

“According to the meeting agenda, it is primarily a familiarisation session between the NWC and the newly elected state chairmen.

“However, it is likely that additional discussions will take place, where Damagum’s supporters will seek to secure the backing and commitment of the majority, if not all, of the state chairmen ahead of the NEC meeting.

“They will garner their support and prepare them for any unexpected developments. Since not all NEC members have voting rights, don’t be surprised if a vote of confidence is passed on Damagum on November 28, allowing him to continue in his acting capacity.”

Another senior member of the PDP National Working Committee, who also spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak to the media on the issue, confirmed that the notice for the 99th NEC meeting could be sent out this week.

The source also reiterated that Damagum may continue in his acting role since he   is from the same northern region as Ayu.

“The NEC will proceed as scheduled, and in fact, the notice is expected to be released this week.

“Some party members are simply causing unnecessary worry over Damagum. He didn’t push himself into the role; the constitution granted him that position.

“Any replacement for an NWC member who dies, is removed or resigns, must come from the same region. That is the position of PDP Constitution. Ayu is from the North, Damagum too hails from the North,” the party chieftain pointed out.

Attempts to reach Damagum and the PDP National Vice Chairman, Theophilus  Shan for comments were unsuccessful as they failed to respond to their phone calls and messages.

Similarly, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, his deputy, Ibrahim Abbdullahi and the Director of Press and Public Affairs for the Plateau State Governor, Gyang Bere, did not respond to calls. They were yet to reply to messages sent to them on the issue as at the time of tiling this report.

However,  some NEC members, including  former National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, and Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, have voiced differing opinions on Damagum and his alleged involvement in the party’s  losses in the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

Ologbondiyan believes that the PDP would keep losing as long as Damagum continues as the acting national chairman.

Osadolor contended that only a miracle could remove him, stating that the losses in Edo and Ondo were beyond Damagum’s control.

The former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP stated that Damagum has failed to effectively manage the party’s affairs.

Ologbondiyan noted, “The inability of Damagum to manage the PDP’s internal politics effectively is responsible for a series of losses suffered by the party. His continued stay in office will lead to more losses. I have no apology (for saying this).

“In the recent elections in Edo and Ondo, what was the party’s preparation level under Damagum? How prepared was the party for those elections?”

On his part, Osadolor clarified that due to the  ongoing litigation, the issue of Damagum’s replacement would not be addressed at the NEC meeting.

He further explained that the outcomes of the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo were beyond Damagum’s control.

The deputy national youth leader declared, “All those party members blaming Damagum for everything happening in the party are simply trying to give a dog a bad name to hang it.

“Whatever is happening in the PDP is not Damagum’s fault. Some of these leaders are behind it.

“Regarding his stay or removal, we are all aware that there is a court injunction restraining the NEC from replacing Damagum, and it has not been vacated. So, only a miracle can remove Damagum. I believe it is time party leaders got used  to Damagum.”

On the party’s losses in recent polls, he explained,  “As for Edo and Ondo, what happened in these states during the governorship elections is not something any of those blaming Damagum could have handled. Federal might was heavily deployed in these states by the APC-led Federal Government.

“We know they have other issues with Damagum, but on the matter of claiming he is responsible for the party’s losses in Edo and Ondo, it is not something any of them could have prevented, at least not until they become the chairman.”