PDP crisis: Intrigues deepen as Damagum digs in
The opposing factions in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are back in their trenches, restrategising ahead of next Thursday’s make of mar meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), it was learnt yesterday.
The meeting, which is at the instance of state governors elected on the platform of the party, is expected to find a lasting solution to the crisis which has polarised the former ruling party since the May 2022 national convention that produced Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate for last year’s election.
On one side are Atiku and his supporters while on the other are Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike and those who accuse the former vice president of violating the party’s policy on sharing or zoning of offices.
The crisis took a turn for the worse last weekend when the pro-Atiku side issued a statement suspending acting National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum and the National Secretary Sam Anyanwu who are both perceived to have sympathy for Wike.
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It also named the Alhaji Yayari Mohammed as Damagum’s replacement.
The Damagum faction retaliated by suspending the National Secretary, Debo Ologunagba and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade.
With the situation appearing to be spiraling out of control, the governors stepped in and called for a return to the status quo.
A meeting of the NEC was also called for Thursday, October 24 to examine the issues at stake.
However, The Nation gathered yesterday that neither side is prepared to compromise on its position.
Damagum and his group are said to be insisting on him serving out his term which runs till December 2025 while the Atiku camp wants him out as early as possible so that he would not be a stumbling block to his 2027 presidential aspiration.
“Damagum is not going anywhere; all the issues being raised are a mere cover for 2027 maneuverings,” President of PDP Frontliners, Engineer Abdulraheem Ilyasu Garba, told The Nation.
He added: “aside from being rightfully entitled to remain in PDP leadership position as duly-elected Deputy Chairman (North), Damagum’s position has been effectively weighed and affirmed by a Federal High Court.”
Damagum and his backers feel strongly that he is on a firm legal ground with the recent interim order of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Lifu had restrained the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) from removing Damagum as acting National chairman and also ordered that no person must be recognised as PDP chairman other than Damagum until the national convention of the party scheduled for December next year.
Justice Lifu held that under Articles 42, 47 and 67 of PDP constitution, it is only at the National Convention of the party that national officers can be elected.
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/579/2024 was filed against the National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees of the party by Senator Umar Maina.
A PDP legislator who insisted on anonymity because of prevailing efforts by top party stakeholders not to be seen as widening the possibility of further crisis said: “Justice Lifu’s ruling, which cemented Damagum’s leadership, has provided a strong legal basis for him to remain in power, unless a higher court overrules it.
“Curiously, despite the internal grumblings, none of Damagum’s critics has initiated an appeal against the judgment, further emboldening his backers.”
When contacted by The Nation on telephone, Ambassador Damagum declined to respond or make any comment.
Party sources said yesterday that nobody was sure yet of what would happen at the upcoming NEC meeting as the gladiators have been busy working on strategies on how they can control the party ahead of the national convention that will elect the presidential flag bearer for the 2027 election.
The majority of the governors are in support of their Rivers State counterpart Siminalayi Fubara in his battle with Wike for the control of the party’s structure.
The PDP structure in the state is currently in Wike’s hands.
The FCT Minister was the brain behind the emergence of Fubara as his successor as governor but both men are now estranged.
A party source close to the PDP national secretariat in Abuja told The Nation that much of the criticism leveled against Damagum stems from proxy battles linked to power blocs jockeying for control ahead of the upcoming race, especially as loyalists of former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar appear anxious about Damagum’s influence and suspected alignment with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Even at formal meetings of major party stakeholders including the PDP Board of Trustees, it is officially acknowledged that proxy ‘wars’ exist within the party and that those being given critical assignments, including leadership roles and membership of both the reconciliation and disciplinary committees must check tendencies towards fighting for proxy interests.
The chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, said on Monday that the governors and other stakeholders “have resolved everything. There is no faction in the PDP. We have reverted to the status quo. There is no party that does not have any problem or cleavages.
“All parties have agreed to come back to status quo before the commencement of this perceived crisis of suspension and counter-suspension.
“The governors, the NWC and National Assembly caucus and the BoT will sit down to discuss the sacrosanctity of the NEC meeting.”
