With the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for November 28, there are strong indications that the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, may retain his position until the next national convention, the date for which is yet to be determined by party stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the PDP State Chairmen from across the 36 states have dismissed claims of a crisis within the party, describing them as “mere speculations” and fabrications by detractors.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the Damagum-led PDP National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja, the forum’s Acting Chairman, Hon. Austine Nwachukwu, clarified the purpose of the meeting.

“The meeting was primarily to familiarize ourselves with the NWC. Recall that several state congresses were held recently and the NWC felt it was necessary to bring everyone together to foster unity and collaboration,” Nwachukwu stated.

He added that discussions also touched on zonal congresses, with forms now available for interested candidates. However, he dismissed any claims of internal discord, stating, “What you call a crisis is merely cosmetic. The party leadership is intact and any issues are being resolved internally.”

A top NEC member, speaking anonymously, disclosed that a court judgment currently restrains the PDP Board of Trustees and NEC from removing Damagum. “This judgment has not been appealed or vacated, so there is no vacancy to fill,” the source explained.

Additionally, efforts to replace Damagum with a substantive chairman from the North Central zone have been stalled due to the lack of consensus among stakeholders in the region.

The North Central zone remains split over the replacement of former National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu. While some stakeholders advocate for the zone to produce a candidate to complete Ayu’s tenure, others prefer a chairman who would serve a full four-year term.

Former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, has insisted that Damagum should return to his role as Deputy National Chairman (North) to allow the North Central to produce a substantive chairman. Ologbondiyan argued that maintaining Damagum as both acting chairman and deputy chairman violates the party’s constitution.

“The PDP Constitution (2017 as amended) stipulates that when a chairman leaves office, a replacement must come from the same zone. Ayu’s tenure did not run its full course, and this should be corrected,” he stated.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, the only PDP governor in the North Central zone, is expected to convene a stakeholders’ meeting ahead of the NEC session. However, speculation abounds that Mutfwang and other leaders are aligning with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to retain Damagum in office.

Wike, a major financier of the PDP, has accused detractors of undermining his contributions. In a recent media interview, he said, “The problem isn’t that the PDP can’t get its act together; it’s personal ambition and the obsession to bring Wike down. I won’t go down.”

He also criticized Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, for allegedly failing to mobilize resources to strengthen the party.

As the NEC meeting approaches, all eyes remain on the party leadership to resolve these issues and chart a unified course forward. (Vanguard)