PDP Governors Seek Soft Landing for National Chairman Umar Damagum Amidst Leadership Crisis

Governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are actively working behind the scenes to secure a peaceful resolution for the embattled National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum. The crisis within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), which has caused divisions among key stakeholders, is prompting the governors to explore a soft landing for Damagum. This move comes after a truce was brokered between feuding members of the NWC earlier this week.

According to a high-ranking member of the National Executive Committee (NEC), who spoke under the condition of anonymity, PDP governors are making efforts to prevent further escalation of the conflict. “Our governors are working seriously behind the scenes,” the NEC member stated, emphasizing their goal of calming tensions within the party. The governors are reportedly focused on ensuring that the NEC meeting, initially scheduled for October 24, does not proceed until all parties are on the same page.

Governors Mediate to Restore Stability in PDP Leadership

The Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum (PDP-GF), Bala Mohammed, confirmed that consultations are ongoing to restore peace within the party. The governors have reportedly reached out to all parties involved in the leadership tussle, urging them to cease public confrontations and end the media war that has intensified the crisis. Their efforts are aimed at bringing the various factions together in a unified stance before the party holds its next elective convention.

As part of the solution, the governors are exploring the possibility of having Damagum revert to his former position as the Deputy National Chairman (North), a move that is seen as a dignified way for him to step aside. In addition, major party stakeholders are considering appointing a trusted party figure from the North Central region to step in as the new National Chairman, tasked with stabilizing the party ahead of future elections. These discussions reflect the party’s desire to find a balanced solution that accommodates all sides.

Subtle Campaigns Begin as PDP Eyes Leadership Transition

As the governors and party stakeholders work toward a peaceful resolution, potential contenders for the National Chairman position have already begun subtle campaigns to market themselves to PDP stakeholders. Former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, and businessman Conrad Utaan, both from Benue State, are actively positioning themselves as viable candidates for the role. Utaan, who comes from the same senatorial district as former National Chairman Dr. Iyiorchia Ayu, has emphasized the need for youthful leadership and innovative thinking within the party.

Meanwhile, Kola Ologbondiyan, a former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP who was aligned with the Yayari Mohammed-led faction during the dispute, expressed support for the governors’ mediation efforts. He stated, “As party men, our governors as leaders have spoken, there is nothing more to add.” The efforts of the PDP governors to secure a soft landing for Damagum and stabilize the party’s leadership are seen as crucial to the future of the PDP as it prepares for the next electoral cycle.

NEC Meeting and Plans for National Convention

The upcoming NEC meeting on October 24 is expected to be a crucial turning point for the PDP. The party leadership is hopeful that the meeting will ratify a new chairmanship and possibly set a date for a national convention aimed at resolving long-standing issues. This convention could serve as a platform to unify the party’s fractured leadership and re-establish a coherent direction ahead of the 2024 elections.

Governors attending the Akure meeting stressed the importance of a strategic transition in leadership to restore stability. By addressing these internal challenges, the PDP aims to create a roadmap toward unity, ensuring that it remains a formidable force on Nigeria’s political landscape. Party insiders believe that a well-managed leadership transition will allow the PDP to focus on its broader political goals and strengthen its position ahead of the next electoral cycle.