- PDP Crisis Deepens: Anti-Damagum Plot Thickens Ahead of NEC Meeting
- Governors, Party Leaders Divided Over Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum’s Fate
- Court Orders, Judgments Complicate Damagum’s Removal
- Potential Replacements Emerge: David Mark, Gabriel Suswam, Emmanuel Agbo
- PDP Governors’ Forum Factionalized Over NEC Meeting
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a deepening crisis as its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting approaches on Thursday, October 24, 2024. The meeting has sparked intense division among governors and party leaders over the fate of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, who may be asked to step down.
With barely 24 hours to the planned NEC meeting, governors elected on the PDP platform and other party bigwigs are further divided over Damagum’s future. Party chieftains loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike insist that Damagum will not be removed, while others seek his replacement.
The situation took a dramatic turn when Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed’s faction obtained a court order to prevent the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission from annulling the NEC meeting. The lawsuit also sought to vacate an earlier injunction from the Federal High Court Abuja barring the PDP from removing Damagum from office.
As the intrigues continue, former Senate President David Mark, ex-Governor of Benue State Senator Gabriel Suswam, and Director General of the PDP Governors’ Forum Dr. Emmanuel Agbo are being considered as potential replacements for Damagum. However, sources within the National Working Committee note that removing Damagum won’t be easy, given existing court orders and judgments.
Former Deputy National Chairman Bode George expressed concerns that the PDP is deviating from its founding fathers’ vision. He blamed former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambulwa’s unpopular decision for dividing the party and emphasized the need for healing.
