As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepares for its 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on November 28, indications suggest that Umar Damagum is likely to remain the acting National Chairman until next year.
A reliable source within the party revealed that Damagum’s National Working Committee (NWC) will meet with the 36 state PDP chairmen and the FCT chairman on Wednesday at the party’s Wadata Plaza headquarters in Abuja. This meeting is seen as a precursor to the NEC gathering.
The source also stated that most of the state chairmen have already arrived in Abuja, which implies that the meeting may be connected to preparations for the NEC meeting. However, Damagum’s leadership has been criticized by party leaders for his handling of internal disputes, particularly in Rivers State between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The PDP’s 98th NEC meeting, held on April 18, resolved to deliberate on Damagum’s future at the 99th NEC meeting. The meeting has been postponed multiple times, initially scheduled for August 15, then moved to October 24, and now to November 28.
Critics within the party accuse Damagum of lacking decisiveness during a period of significant internal turmoil, leading to calls for his resignation. However, the source revealed that recent developments within the party and the actions of key stakeholders suggest that Damagum will continue in his role until further notice.
According to the source, many party members and key stakeholders are now less focused on replacing Damagum for a term shorter than 10 months, and instead are looking forward to electing a permanent chairman who will serve a full 4-year term. This has led to a shift in focus towards managing Damagum, despite his shortcomings, until the next convention in October or November 2025, which will elect a new NWC and select party candidates for the 2027 elections.
The source also highlighted ongoing legal disputes surrounding the issue, which some party leaders want to avoid to avoid more litigation. Additionally, the Wike group backing Damagum has expanded its influence into the North-Central zone, and the zone has not yet convened to propose a replacement for Damagum.
A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday where Damagum and the NWC will meet with the 36 state chairmen and the FCT. The agenda includes a familiarization 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.
Some party 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 will continue to lose as long as Damagum remains acting chairman, while Osadolor contended that only a miracle could remove him.
Ologbondiyan stated that Damagum has failed to effectively manage the party’s affairs, while Osadolor clarified that due to ongoing litigation, the issue of Damagum’s replacement would not be addressed at the NEC meeting. He also emphasized that the outcomes of the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo were beyond Damagum’s control.
The source also reiterated that Damagum may continue in his acting role since he is from the same northern region as Ayu, who was removed by the court. According to the party’s constitution, any replacement for an NWC member who dies, is removed, or resigns must come from the same region.
A senior member of the PDP National Working Committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the notice for the 99th NEC meeting could be sent out this week, and that Damagum may continue in his role until further notice.
