Ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 99 National Executive Committee, NEC meeting scheduled for November 28, there are indications that Umar Damagum is plotting to remain as the party acting National Chairman till next year. It was learned that the Damagum-led National Working Committee is planning to meet with the 36 PDP state chairmen and the FCT chairman at the party’s headquarters, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja, on Wednesday (today).
An insider source, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak on party’s behalf of the party revealed that most of the state chairmen have landed in Abuja since last night, suggesting that the meeting could be related to the upcoming NEC meeting.
Since Senator Iyorchia Ayu vacated the seat through court order, it has been one drama to the other for Damagum as party leaders could not agree amongst themselves in the PDP crisis and the calls for his resignation has intensified.
Damagum was blamed for failing to address the political crisis in Rivers State between Governor Siminalaye Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
During the 98th NEC meeting held on April 18, the party leaders agreed to decide Damagum’s fate at the 99th NEC meeting.
The 99th NEC meeting, formerly slated for August 15, was then postponed to October 24, and later rescheduled to November 28, 2024.
There are strong indications that Damagum may not survive the seat this time around as he was accused of being playing into the hand of few vested interest groups within the party.
According to the source, “The NEC meeting will proceed as planned, but Damagum will continue as the party’s acting national chairman until further notice. This is because many members and key stakeholders are now less focused on replacing him for a term shorter than 10 months when they could instead have a permanent chairman who would serve a full 4-year term.
“The delay in finding a replacement has led many to lose interest in the matter. With an elective PDP convention scheduled between October and November 2025, party leaders have shifted their focus to
managing Damagum, despite his shortcomings, until the next convention. This convention will elect a new NWC for a 4-year term and select party candidates for the 2027 elections.
“In addition to these reasons, there are ongoing legal disputes surrounding the issue. While these can potentially be navigated, some party leaders want to avoid actions that could lead to more litigation.
“Moreover, the Wike group backing Damagum has expanded its influence into the North-Central zone. As a result, the zone, led by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, has not yet convened to propose a replacement for Damagum. Therefore, Damagum will remain in his acting role for now.”
This is as Damagum has not relented in engaging with the stakeholders.
The source added, “As part of these engagements, a meeting is scheduled for Wednesday (today) where Damagum and members of the NWC will meet with the 36 state chairmen and the FCT.
“According to the meeting agenda, it is primarily a familiarisation session between the NWC and the newly elected state chairmen.
“However, it is likely that additional discussions will take place, where Damagum’s supporters will seek to secure the backing and commitment of the majority, if not all, of the state chairmen ahead of the NEC meeting.
“They will garner their support and prepare them for any unexpected developments. Since not all NEC members have voting rights, don’t be surprised if a vote of confidence is passed on Damagum on November 28, allowing him to continue in his acting capacity.”
Another source from the party disclosed that the invitation for the meeting of the 28th November might be sent out this week all things being equal.
Though, he affirmed that Damagum may likely continue till next year convention as he is also a northerner just like Ayu.
Although he slammed naysayer, saying, “Some party members are simply causing unnecessary worry over Damagum. He didn’t push himself into the role; the constitution granted him that position.
“Any replacement for an NWC member, who dies, is removed or resigns, must come from the same region. That is the position of PDP Constitution. Ayu is from the North, Damagum too hails from the North,” the party chieftain pointed out.
However, some NEC members, including former National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, and Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, have voiced differing opinions on Damagum and his alleged involvement in the party’s losses in the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
Ologbondiyan believes that the PDP would keep losing as long as Damagum continues as the acting national chairman.
Osadolor contended that only a miracle could remove him, stating that the losses in Edo and Ondo were beyond Damagum’s control.
The former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP stated that Damagum has failed to effectively manage the party’s affairs.
Ologbondiyan noted, “The inability of Damagum to manage the PDP’s internal politics effectively is responsible for a series of losses suffered by the party. His continued stay in office will lead to more losses. I have no apology (for saying this).
“In the recent elections in Edo and Ondo, what was the party’s preparation level under Damagum? How prepared was the party for those elections?”
On his part, Osadolor clarified that due to the ongoing litigation, the issue of Damagum’s replacement would not be addressed at the NEC meeting.
He further explained that the outcomes of the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo were beyond Damagum’s control.
The deputy national youth leader declared, “All those party members blaming Damagum for everything happening in the party are simply trying to give a dog a bad name to hang it.
“Whatever is happening in the PDP is not Damagum’s fault. Some of these leaders are behind it.
“Regarding his stay or removal, we are all aware that there is a court injunction restraining the NEC from replacing Damagum, and it has not been vacated. So, only a miracle can remove Damagum. I believe it is time party leaders got used to Damagum.”
Commenting on why the party lost out during recent elections, he said, “As for Edo and Ondo, what happened in these states during the governorship elections is not something any of those blaming Damagum could have handled. Federal might was heavily deployed in these states by the APC-led Federal Government.
“We know they have other issues with Damagum, but on the matter of claiming he is responsible for the party’s losses in Edo and Ondo, it is not something any of them could have prevented, at least not until they become the chairman.”PUNCH.
