Umar Damagum, the current acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will retain his position until a subsequent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting following today’s scheduled session on Thursday, April 18, 2024. This decision emerged from the resolutions made during the PDP caucus meeting on Wednesday night.
According to PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba, the caucus agreed to reconstitute all reconciliation committees of the party to address grievances affecting its unity. When questioned about discussions regarding the party’s chairmanship position, Ologunagba explained that it would be addressed by the NEC, but confirmed that Damagum will continue as chairman until the next NEC meeting after today’s.
The meeting was attended by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and the PDP’s 2023 presidential flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar. Damagum is suspected to be an ally of Wike, who serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The caucus also directed a revisit of the Rivers State Caretaker Committee List and urged a political solution to the crisis in the state.
The caucus meeting took place less than 24 hours before the party’s NEC meeting scheduled for today, April 18, 2024, to address leadership matters and ratify decisions by various party organs.
The PDP is grappling with a leadership crisis, with members calling for the resignation of the Damagum-led NEC. Meetings like the NEC and the party’s Board of Trustees have been convened to tackle these issues.
Meanwhile, Senator Iyorcha Ayu has withdrawn his appeal challenging his removal as the party’s national chairman. This move is believed to be related to the party’s upcoming National Executive Meeting.
Ayu was suspended by the PDP executive committee in Igyorov ward, Gboko Local Government Area of Kogi State in 2023 over alleged anti-party activities. Despite initially challenging his removal in court, a Federal High Court ruling last year affirmed the party’s decision to sack Senator Ayu, leading to his withdrawal of the appeal.
