There are indications that Umar Damagum has perfected plans to remain as the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) till next year.
These indications come ahead of the party’s 99 National Executive Committee meeting slated for November 28.
A chieftain of the party, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to comment on the matter, told our reporter that the majority of the chairmen came in Abuja on Tuesday, implying that the meeting was related to the approaching NEC.
Since taking over as temporary national chairman following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s expulsion by the court, Damagum has faced escalating criticism from party officials amid the ongoing PDP crisis, with mounting calls for his resignation.
His reported lack of decisiveness was blamed for the escalating political crisis in Rivers State between Governor Siminalaye Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
During the 98th NEC meeting on April 18, the party leaders agreed to consider Damagum’s fate at the 99th NEC meeting.
The 99th NEC conference, initially slated for August 15, was moved to October 24, then rescheduled for November 28, 2024.
According to the source, recent developments inside the party and the actions of important stakeholders indicate that Damagum will continue in his job until further notice.
“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.”
The reliable source also disclosed that the acting national chairman is actively engaging with stakeholders.
He continued, “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 senior member of the PDP National Working Committee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity owing to a lack of authority to speak to the media about the matter, confirmed that the notice for the 99th NEC meeting could be distributed this week.
The insider also stated that Damagum may remain in his acting role because he is from the same northern region as Ayu.
“The NEC will proceed as scheduled, and in fact, the notice is expected to be released this week.
“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 the PDP Constitution. Ayu is from the North; Damagum too hails from the North,” the party chieftain pointed out.
Attempts to reach Damagum and the PDP National Vice Chairman, Theophilus Shan, for comment were futile since they did not return phone calls or texts.
Similarly, Debo Ologunagba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, his deputy Ibrahim Abbdullahi, and Gyang Bere, the Plateau State Governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, did not return phone calls.
They were yet to respond to messages addressed to them about the matter as of the time of filing this story.
However, other NEC members, notably former National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan and Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor, have expressed opposing views on Damagum and his claimed role in the party’s defeats in the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
Ologbondiyan feels that the PDP would continue to lose as long as Damagum serves as interim national chairman.
The PDP’s former National Publicity Secretary declared that Damagum has failed to successfully handle the party’s business.
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?”
Osadolor, on his part, stated that due to the pending litigation, the question of Damagum’s successor will not be discussed at the NEC meeting.
He went on to explain that Damagum had no control over the results of the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo.
The deputy national youth leader said, “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.”
Speaking on the party’s losses in recent elections, he explained, “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.”
