The governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s National Working Committee have been divided over plans to remove IIiya Umar Damagum as the party’s acting national chairman.
While Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who is also the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, disclosed that plans have been finalized to remove Damagum, his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, has expressed support for the embattled national chairman.
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri pledged his full support for Damagum, but Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke stated that he would respect the decision of the NWC regarding the acting chairman’s dismissal.
After meeting with the party’s NWC, Mohammed declared that Damagum must go, arguing that it is a constitutional aberration for him to remain in office. He noted that the North Central should be allowed to complete the tenure of former national chairman Ayu, who hails from Benue State.
In contrast, Makinde voiced his full support for Damagum. Speaking on Tuesday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the upgrade of Ibadan Airport to international standards, Makinde emphasized that this is not the right time for the party to allow further crisis.
For Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, the relevant provisions of the PDP Constitution should prevail in the ongoing crisis within the party. Adeleke stated, “I stand by the Constitution of our great party, which clearly spells out the succession procedure in the event of the exit of an elected chairman. I also support the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum, of which I am an integral part. Our party must adhere to its Constitution at this critical time and at all times. That is the way to build a responsible political party.”
Damagum’s position as acting national chairman has always been precarious, as he occupies a position zoned to the North Central. Prof. Iyorchia Ayu, from Benue State in the North Central, became the national chairman after the position was ceded to that zone, but Damagum, from Kebbi State in the North East, was appointed acting national chairman after Ayu was forced out in 2023.
The PDP North Central caucus has been advocating for Damagum to step down so that the zone can produce a substantive national chairman to complete Ayu’s tenure. However, the party’s leadership remained silent on the matter until Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, one of Damagum’s major backers, threatened to disrupt the states of PDP governors who supported their Rivers State colleague, Siminalayi Fubara.
Damagum had been working with Wike to diminish Fubara’s influence within the Rivers PDP, leading to speculation that the governor might leave the party. Damagum handed Wike control of the PDP structure in Rivers after approving the state congress held on August 31, 2024, where Wike’s loyalists secured all positions. Fubara and his camp boycotted the congress.
Wike was summoned by the PDP Disciplinary Committee following his outburst against the governors, who responded by openly backing Fubara, insisting that he, as governor, should be recognized as the party’s leader in his state.
However, Investors King reports that as the governors and Wike engage in a battle for supremacy, indications have emerged that Damagum is poised to become the sacrificial lamb.
