PDP Governors Weigh Options After Damagum’s Suspension As Acting Chairman

PDP Governors Weigh Options After Damagum’s Suspension As Acting ChairmanGovernors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are taking proactive measures to resolve the ongoing leadership crisis within the party. This follows the recent suspension of acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu by a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) over accusations of disloyalty.

The situation escalated when supporters of Damagum retaliated by suspending National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, citing similar allegations. This cycle of suspensions has intensified tensions within the party and has prompted the governors to urgently seek a resolution.

A source close to the governors, who spoke to ThisDay, indicated that several options are being considered to restore order and unity in the PDP. One proposal includes the removal of all NWC members through the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the establishment of a caretaker committee to manage the party until 2025. Another option under discussion is to revert both factions to the previous status, allowing for the election of Damagum’s successor at the upcoming NEC meeting scheduled for October 24, 2024.

The source noted, “Ayu’s replacement was expected to be determined at the April 18, 2024 NEC meeting, but the decision was postponed as many states had not yet completed their congresses. When the NEC meeting was rescheduled, it coincided with the lesser Hajj, leading to further delays. Now that all states have concluded their congresses, a new NEC meeting has been arranged for October 24 to select Ayu’s successor, whose tenure will end in December 2025, along with other NWC members.”

In response to a court order that restrains the PDP from removing Damagum until December 2025, the source expressed uncertainty about whether Damagum would use the court case to undermine peace initiatives. “Damagum was in Bauchi State to update the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, on the NWC meeting outcomes when his suspension and the court order were announced. I doubt he initiated it, and it is expected that he won’t use the court order to disrupt peace efforts,” the source added.

The source further revealed that one outcome of Damagum’s visit to Bauchi was a call for all parties to maintain the status quo until the upcoming meeting of the PDP governors. He stated that both Damagum and his NWC were advised that such a crisis was unnecessary as the party prepared for the NEC meeting.

However, the crisis escalated when a senior national officer reportedly ordered that the offices of National Legal Adviser Ajibade and National Publicity Secretary Ologunagba be forcibly entered, and the locks changed. This directive has not yet been implemented, as other senior officers expressed discomfort with the move.

One party official questioned the urgency to change the locks on the offices of the suspended officers, noting that “the keys to the offices of the former national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, are still intact.” The officer added, “The two were suspended under questionable circumstances. Why the rush to break into their offices, as if they were expelled from the party?

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