The current acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, will remain in his position until the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which will take place after the one scheduled for today, Thursday, April 18, 2024. This decision was made during the PDP caucus meeting on Wednesday night.
PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, stated that the caucus agreed to reconstitute all reconciliation committees within the party to address any grievances that may be affecting the party’s unity.
When asked about discussions regarding the party’s chairmanship position, Ologunagba mentioned that this issue will be addressed by the NEC in the future. However, it was decided that Damagum will continue as chairman until the next NEC meeting following today’s meeting.
The meeting was attended by Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State, and Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential flag bearer of the PDP.
Damagum is believed to be an ally of Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
During the caucus meeting, it was decided that the party should review the Rivers State Caretaker Committee List and work towards a political solution to the crisis in the state.
The caucus meeting took place less than 24 hours before the NEC meeting of the party, which is scheduled for today (April 18, 2024) to discuss issues related to the party’s leadership and to approve decisions made by various party organs.
The PDP is currently experiencing a leadership crisis, with members calling for the resignation of the Damagum-led NEC. Meetings with the NEC and the party’s Board of Trustees have been scheduled to address these issues.
In the meantime, Senator Iyorcha Ayu has decided to withdraw his appeal, which was aimed at challenging his removal as the party’s national chairman. This decision is believed to be related to the party’s upcoming National Executive Meeting.
Ayu was suspended by the executive committee of the PDP in Igyorov ward in the Gboko Local Government Area of Kogi State in 2023 for alleged anti-party activities. He had taken his removal to court, but a Federal High Court ruling last June upheld the party’s decision to remove him. As a result, he has now withdrawn his appeal.
