PDP Crisis Deepens: Umar Damagum Set to Continue as Acting Chairman

As the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) prepares for its 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for November 28, there are signs that Umar Damagum will remain as the party’s acting National Chairman well into next year. Sources reveal that Damagum has aligned himself with key factions within the PDP, which may solidify his leadership position. Despite facing internal criticism and calls for his resignation, he has garnered support, particularly from influential Northern party leaders who prefer stability until a new chair can be elected at the next convention.

The upcoming NEC meeting is expected to focus on resolving the party’s internal conflicts and evaluating Damagum’s performance. Many party leaders have reportedly accepted the possibility of Damagum’s continuation, considering the challenges of replacing him amid the upcoming 2025 convention. The situation also reflects deeper strategic disagreements within the PDP, as factions disagree on the best course to secure the party’s future.

Meeting of PDP’s NWC and State Chairmen: Unity or More Division?

Today, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Damagum, is scheduled to meet with the 36 state chairmen and the Federal Capital Territory chairman at the party headquarters in Abuja. This session aims to foster unity and align strategies, with sources hinting at a possible show of support for Damagum’s leadership. Observers note that a successful meeting could enhance Damagum’s credibility and secure his continued role as acting chairman.

According to an insider, today’s gathering serves not only as a familiarization meeting for the newly elected state chairmen but also as an opportunity for Damagum’s allies to rally further support ahead of the NEC meeting. There is speculation that his supporters might seek to secure a vote of confidence, allowing Damagum to remain unchallenged in his position until a permanent replacement is chosen in 2025.

Party Divides on Damagum’s Leadership Amid Recent Election Losses

Damagum’s leadership has come under fire following the PDP’s disappointing performances in recent governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. Critics, including former PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, argue that Damagum’s lack of decisiveness and strategic acumen has weakened the party’s position in critical states. Ologbondiyan claims that if Damagum remains at the helm, the PDP will continue to lose ground in future elections.

On the other hand, Timothy Osadolor, the party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, defends Damagum, attributing the losses in Edo and Ondo to external factors rather than leadership failures. Osadolor highlights federal interference by the APC-led government, suggesting that the PDP would have struggled regardless of who was in charge. He further asserts that legal constraints currently prevent any attempt to replace Damagum, emphasizing that some factions are unfairly scapegoating him.

Legal Hurdles and Factional Power Struggles Complicate Replacement

Efforts to replace Damagum face legal barriers, as ongoing court injunctions restrict the NEC from appointing a new chairman until existing litigation is resolved. These legal limitations, combined with Damagum’s support from factions like the Wike-backed North-Central coalition, have deterred party leaders from pursuing a replacement in the short term. Sources suggest that the Wike group, now influential in the North-Central zone, is unlikely to push for Damagum’s ouster, adding another layer to his staying power.

A senior PDP official explained that as the acting chairman hails from the same northern region as his predecessor, Ayu, the party constitution mandates that any replacement must also come from the North. This geographical requirement has complicated efforts to remove Damagum, making many party leaders reluctant to initiate further legal battles. Given the approaching 2025 convention, the party may accept Damagum’s interim leadership until then, focusing instead on internal stability amid growing factional tensions.