Rising tensions in PDP as North-Central leaders push to replace Damagum

As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepares for its 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, leaders from the North Central zone have initiated efforts to identify a successor to the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.

The North Central caucus emphasized the significance of the upcoming October 24 NEC meeting, calling it crucial for the party’s future stability. The PDP has been grappling with internal strife both before and after the 2023 general elections. Damagum has faced criticism from party members for failing to implement meaningful reforms, with some blaming him for the party’s ongoing challenges.

Tensions escalated when Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike publicly criticized Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the PDP Governors’ Forum, further exposing the party’s structural issues. This infighting has tarnished the PDP’s reputation and weakened its political standing.

In response, North Central stakeholders are pushing for Damagum’s replacement, citing Section 47(6) of the PDP Constitution, which mandates that vacancies must be filled by individuals from the same zone to complete the original tenure.

A senior NEC member from the North Central zone, who wished to remain anonymous, informed The PUNCH that efforts to select a replacement are underway, with the goal of finalizing the choice by the October 24 meeting.

The source revealed that the North Central caucus had recently convened in Abuja and decided that presenting a unified candidate at the NEC meeting is essential for the party’s future. This candidate will be chosen from several contenders, including former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and party chieftain Conrad Utaan.

He stated, “Yes, we met at Stratton Hotel in Abuja. We have listened to presentations from several aspirants, and further meetings will take place to finalize our choice. Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the party’s leader in the zone, has committed to consulting additional stakeholders and convening a Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) meeting to decide on the most competent candidate to present at the NEC meeting on October 24.”

He added that the purpose of these meetings is to ensure the NEC meeting proceeds as scheduled, given that party leaders are insisting on adherence to the set date.

Supporting these statements, Kola Ologbondiyan, the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, cautioned against any further delays to the NEC meeting, emphasizing its significance in deciding the party’s next chairman.

He said, “The North Central Caucus has met and will meet again to affirm that the announced date for the NEC must stand. This meeting is critical for determining Damagum’s successor. Stakeholders are mobilizing towards this date and are aware of attempts to postpone the meeting. We strongly advise against such delays.”

Conrad Utaan, an aspirant for the National Chairman position, shared that he had a two-hour interview with the North Central Caucus.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Utaan expressed optimism that the ongoing consultations would lead to a consensus candidate being presented at the NEC meeting.

He explained, “I recently spoke with the North Central Executive Committee for two hours, and my message was well-received. There are also contenders from Kogi and another from Benue. Ultimately, the zonal leadership will decide on a micro-zoning formula. I expect the North Central zone to present only one candidate at the NEC meeting on October 24. This is not a national convention; a single name presented and ratified at this meeting will become the new substantive chairman of the PDP.”