Prior to the upcoming 98th National Executive Committee meeting set for Thursday, the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has issued a vote of confidence in the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, despite growing calls for his ouster.
The approaching NEC meeting is expected to address the issue of whether Damagum should retain his position or be replaced.
Formerly the PDP National Deputy Chairman (North), Damagum took on the role of acting National Chairman after the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, was suspended by the court in March of the previous year.
The court’s decision came following a request from PDP member Terhide Utaan, citing an earlier vote of no confidence passed against Ayu by his ward executives in Igyorov ward, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.
Recently, 60 members of the House of Representatives called for Damagum’s removal, pushing for the appointment of a substantive chairman from the North Central region.
However, shortly after this announcement, the House minority caucus, led by Kingsley Chinda, distanced itself from the group, stating that it was not a recognized entity within the parliament.
The Tuesday gathering of the PDP Caucus in the House of Representatives ended in turmoil, with lawmakers sharply divided between those supporting Damagun and those against his continued tenure.
Meanwhile, the main goal of the Pre-NEC meeting, which aimed to endorse Damagun with a vote of confidence by lawmakers aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, faced obstacles and did not go as planned.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Wednesday, the PDP NWC lauded the efforts and initiatives of the Acting National Chairman in steadying and rejuvenating the PDP as Nigeria’s leading opposition party.
The statement mentioned, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has given a Vote of Confidence to the Party’s Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum.
“The decision of the NWC, which was made at the end of its 584th meeting at the Party’s National Secretariat on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, applauds the efforts and dedication of the Acting National Chairman to stabilize and reposition the PDP as the main opposition Party in Nigeria.
“The Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja led the motion for Vote of Confidence on the Acting National Chairman, supported by the National Vice Chairman (South East) Chief Ali Odefa and seconded by the National Treasurer, Hon. Yayari Mohammed.”
The PDP NWC reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the continued stability, growth, and prosperity of our esteemed party.