PDP governors' meeting on Ambassador Umar Damagum's fate concluded without a resolution amid an ongoing internal crisis. Supporters and opponents remain divided, with discussions set to continue. The party faces significant challenges as factions emerge, leading to a growing demand for adherence to the PDP constitution regarding leadership roles.
In a tense meeting held on Monday evening, the governors of Nigeria’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) concluded discussions about the fate of the party’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, without reaching a decisive resolution. The meeting, which lasted over four hours, was convened to address an ongoing internal crisis that has led to the suspension of several members of the National Working Committee (NWC), including Damagum himself.
Sources revealed that the governors remain sharply divided on Damagum’s future. Supporters of Damagum, including Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Agbu Kefas of Taraba, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, argued in favor of his continued leadership, at least temporarily. Conversely, a faction led by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, alongside Governors Godwin Obaseki of Edo and Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, insisted on reinstating Damagum to his previous role as Deputy National Chairman (North). They argued this would allow the North Central zone to complete the tenure of the suspended chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.
As discussions reached an impasse, it became clear that many party members favored adhering to the PDP's constitution, which stipulates that the national chairmanship should revert to the region of the previous chairman. The situation has intensified divisions within the party, leading to factionalism among governors and NWC members.
In a bid to resolve the ongoing discord, the governors are set to reconvene in Ondo State, coinciding with the official flag-off of the PDP’s governorship campaign. The looming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for October 24, will serve as a critical platform for addressing the party’s leadership crisis and the future of the PDP as a whole.
