Umar Damagum's tenure as the acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains intact, following the party's 98th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Thursday. In a statement released after the meeting, Debo Ologunagba, the national publicity secretary of the PDP, emphasized the NEC's call for unity among members to ensure the party's success for the betterment of Nigerians. The NEC also expressed confidence in Damagum by passing a vote of confidence on him during the meeting.
Ologunagba conveyed the NEC's directive for all party organs, leaders, stakeholders, and members to prioritize the party's interests over personal or group agendas, aiming to rejuvenate and position the PDP for a return to power at the national level. Additionally, the NEC approved various measures, including the timetable for party congresses nationwide, reconstitution of disciplinary and reconciliation committees, and extension of the Party Constitution Amendment Committee's term to receive new proposals.
Acknowledging the efforts of the National Working Committee (NWC) in rebranding the party, including the introduction of a new PDP logo, the NEC urged members to continue working collectively for the success of the PDP and the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
Before the NEC meeting, factions within the PDP, aligned with former presidential candidate Abubakar, had raised concerns about Damagum's allegiance to Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers state. Wike, along with five PDP governors, opposed Abubakar's leadership, which culminated in Abubakar's loss to Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general election.
