The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decided to postpone its upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, originally scheduled for October 24. This decision aims to ease tensions within the party and allow governors time to negotiate the departure of acting National Chairman Umar Damagum.
According to senior members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), postponing the meeting will provide governors with a chance to tackle the recent factional issues that have been troubling the party. They are also expected to gather resources to offer Damagum a compensation package as part of the discussions regarding his exit.
Damagum became acting National Chairman after a court ruling removed Senator Iyorchia Ayu, but he has faced increasing criticism from party leaders amid the ongoing crisis. His perceived inability to make firm decisions has intensified conflicts, especially in Rivers State, where there is notable tension between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of Federal Capital Territory.
In a recent development, Damagum’s faction of the NWC suspended National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, accusing them of insubordination. Ologunagba later responded by stating that Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu had been suspended for disloyalty, naming National Treasurer Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the acting National Chairman.
However, on Tuesday, Bala Mohammed, the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, announced that the internal conflicts had been resolved. This led to the lifting of suspensions and a return to the previous leadership under Damagum. Sources indicate that the Bauchi governor held discussions with Damagum, Ologunagba, and Ajibade, urging them to set aside their differences and focus on restoring peace in the party.
The governors expressed their frustration over the factional crisis, believing it casts the PDP in a negative light. With different governors supporting various factions, they chose to pursue political solutions to unify the party.
A source disclosed, “The governors were very angry about the factional crisis, feeling that the discord further portrayed the PDP in a negative light. With different governors backing separate factions, they opted for political solutions.
“They directed that all suspensions be lifted while seeking urgent political solutions, including financial compensation and a possible PDP ticket for any elective position in Borno to ease Damagum’s departure from the party.
“As it stands, the NEC meeting scheduled for October 24 will be postponed because the governors want to reduce tensions. It’s clear that going into a NEC meeting under these circumstances would not end well, so they will delay it to resolve all issues delaying Damagum’s removal.
“Once they address all legal matters through political means, they will then compensate Damagum to facilitate his resignation and allow for the nomination of a substantive National Chairman from the North Central, subject to NEC approval.
“When they clarify matters with all stakeholders, accommodate critical interests, and resolve the Damagum issue politically, they will then summon the NEC. The new date will be announced once their plans are finalised.”
On the new date for the NEC, the source replied, “No one can say when it will be. The meetings scheduled for the next few days will determine that.”
He added, “The encouraging news is that almost all PDP governors have agreed to use political means to compensate Damagum and facilitate his departure from the PDP. In fact, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has promised to convene a North Central Zonal Executive Committee meeting to propose an acceptable name ahead of the new NEC date.
“They also agreed that in addition to the North Central nominating Damagum’s replacement, the nominee must be acceptable to party leaders in the North and all PDP governors. If consensus cannot be reached, NEC members may have to vote on that day.”
