There is no resolution in sight to the crisis rocking the major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as calls to replace its acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, have deepened divisions within the PDP Governors’ Forum.
A senior member of the PDP National Working Committee, speaking anonymously to The PUNCH, revealed that, in addition to the backing of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Damagum has the support of at least four governors from the party.
He identified the four governors as Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State; Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State; and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State.
According to the source, while the Enugu and Zamfara state governors, Peter Mbah and Dauda Lawal, respectively, are neutral, the remaining seven PDP governors are pushing to oust Damagum.
The anti-Damagum governors are led by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
With him are Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri; Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno.
The source noted, “Oyo State Governor Makinde leads three other governors who are friends of Wike, and they are backing Damagum to continue in his acting role.”
Since assuming the role of acting National Chairman after Senator Iyorchia Ayu was sacked by a court, Damagum has faced increasing blame from party leaders for the ongoing crisis in the PDP, with calls for his resignation.
The situation escalated when Damagum and other NWC members aligned with Wike to secure approval for the controversial Rivers State PDP Congresses and postponed the National Executive Committee meeting from September 26 to October 24.
Tensions between Wike and the current Rivers State Governor heightened on August 24, following public backing for Fubara from PDP governors who called for a review of the Rivers State Congresses and reaffirmed Fubara’s leadership.
Wike responded aggressively on August 31, threatening to disrupt activities in the governors’ states if they continued to interfere in Rivers State matters.
In turn, the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, condemned Wike’s threat as irresponsible on September 3.
Wike maintained his position, stating he would not withdraw his threat regarding actions in PDP states.
While hosting five NWC members in Bauchi, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum dismissed Wike’s threat and indicated that the North Central region would propose Damagum’s successor.
In a swift response, Makinde, a Wike ally, assured Damagum on Wednesday of their full support to help reposition the PDP.
The Oyo State Governor stated: “I am glad that the National Working Committee of our party is here. I read that there was another meeting in Bauchi. Let me say it clearly that we are 100 percent in support of the Damagum-led NWC. Whatever decision you take, we will support you to reposition the party.”
The reliable source disclosed that the governors of Enugu and Zamfara states are neutral regarding the ongoing leadership crisis in the PDP.
He stated, “Of course, Wike is not alone. He enjoys the support of the PDP governors and other party stakeholders. Makinde has always been Wike’s close friend; governors of Taraba, Plateau, and most surprisingly, Adamawa State are with them.
“These are the people who are working with Wike to sustain Damagum and empower the FCT Minister to take over the PDP structure in Rivers State.
“You heard Bauchi State Governor in recent times, so you know where he stands. Others that are with the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum are Fubara, Delta, Osun, Bayelsa, maybe Akwa Ibom. The remaining two, Zamfara and Enugu, are indifferent.”
Confirming what the source told The PUNCH, the Adamawa State governor publicly declared his full support for the PDP acting national chairman on X on Thursday.
Fintiri wrote: “Solidly in support of Amb. Umar Damagum as National Chairman of @OfficialPDPNig! His leadership has restored public confidence, and we are confident he will steer the party to greater heights.”
Also, Fintiri, in a press statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, expressed confidence in Damagum’s leadership on Thursday on behalf of the PDP in Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Borno, and Yobe states.
The statement indicated that the North-East caucus of the PDP is fully supportive of Damagum.
It stated, “The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Borno, and Yobe states has endorsed Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum’s leadership as acting National Chairman. Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, speaking on behalf of the five states, expressed confidence in Damagum’s leadership since assuming office.
“Citing a Federal High Court Abuja restraining order, Fintiri stated that Damagum should complete former Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu’s tenure unless the court decides otherwise.
“The governor praised Damagum for restoring public confidence in the party and urged members to respect the court’s ruling for the party’s and democracy’s sake.
“The governor, who described the performance of the party in the North-East region during the 2023 elections as unprecedented at all levels, noted that the zone deserves the position of National Chairman more than any section in the North.”
On Thursday, Osun State Governor, Adeleke, declared his stance against Damagum.
In a statement released on Thursday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke urged party members to consistently adhere to the party’s Constitution, especially during this critical time. The PDP Constitution stipulates that any replacement for a vacant NWC position must be sourced from the zone of the previous occupant. In other words, Ayu’s successor should be from North Central.
“I stand by the Constitution of our great party, which clearly spells out the succession procedure in case of the exit of an elected chairman.
“I also stand by 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,” Adeleke said.
Meanwhile, the PDP Board of Trustees, led by its Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, met behind closed doors with the PDP caucus in the National Assembly on Thursday.
Emerging from the meeting, Wabara said the deliberation was peaceful.
The meeting with the lawmakers came two days after the BoT held a similar closed-door meeting with Wike.
“We met with the National Caucus, and as you can see, the meeting was peaceful,” Wabara told newsmen on Thursday.
The PUNCH reported that PDP BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and other members held a closed-door meeting with Wike in Abuja on Tuesday.
Recall that the BoT met with the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Bauchi State Governor, in the state capital on Wednesday.
The meeting between the National Assembly Caucus and the BoT took place at the PDP office, Legacy House, in Abuja.
In addition to Wabara and Makarfi, attendees included House Minority Leader, Hon. Chinda Kingsley; Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Lere Oyewumi; House of Representatives Minority Whip, Hon. Ali Isa JC; and Hon. Pastor Ojema Ojotu, among others.
The PUNCH learned that the BoT convened the meeting to assess the sentiment of the PDP caucus in the National Assembly regarding the party’s challenges, urge calm, and suggest recommendations for resolving the issues.