Utweets
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and stakeholders have intensified their push for the removal of Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum. The forum has directed the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) to call a meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) by the first week of February 2025. ...READ THE FULL STORY FROM SOURCE ...READ THE FULL STORY FROM SOURCE
The planned meeting is aimed at addressing the party’s internal conflicts and divisions, as well as allowing for elaborate consultations with critical stakeholders.
The plan is to use the period between November and February will be used to address existential problems confronting the party, including issues of leadership and litigations.
“With a clear expression of common conviction that the current economic challenges (in the country) would ensure PDP’s victory in 2027, Governor Bala Mohammed and Governor Seyi Makinde, who considered lingering indications that preparations for PDP zonal congresses might be another excuse for the Damagum-led PDP National Working Committee to do a fifth postponement of PDP NEC Meeting, proposed a firm consensus that the meeting must take place in late January or early February 2025,” a source said.
It is understood that anti-Damagum members are determined to ensure that he does not remain in office until November next year, when he could have influence on the election of the party’s next leadership. However, sources have revealed that the plot may not work out as envisaged, as some members of the party are opposed to Damagum’s removal.
The Damagum group in October took a significant step by securing a court order that prevents the party from removing him as acting national chairman.
According to Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) are also restrained from recognizing anyone else as PDP chairman until the party’s national convention in December next year.
Justice Lifu emphasized that, as per Articles 42, 47, and 67 of the PDP constitution, national officers can only be elected at the National Convention. He stressed that PDP members must adhere to the party’s constitution and laws.
Due to this, sources within the party have expressed concerns that the injunction obtained by the Damagum group may hinder efforts to remove him from office. A former governor, who was elected on the PDP platform, noted that the party’s reputation as a democratic institution could be tarnished if it disregards the court order.
At Saturday’s meeting, some North Central Caucus members, led by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, pushed for a PDP NEC meeting to choose a new national chairman from their zone. However, other members, including PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman Alhaji Bala Mohammed, helped ease tensions.
In a communique, the PDP Governors’ Forum acknowledged the party’s internal conflicts and divisions but remains resolute on its unity and cohesion to regain power at the centre. The forum has commiserated with Governor Eno Bassey, whose late wife will be buried on the same day earlier scheduled for the NEC meeting.
In attendance at the meeting were Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, host governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas (Taraba State), Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa State). Others were Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Dr. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Sir Monday Onyeme, Deputy Governor of Delta State and Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, Deputy Governor Enugu State.READ THE FULL STORY FROM SOURCE….READ THE FULL STORY FROM SOURCE
