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Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have warned the party members against unlawfulness ahead of the National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for today (Thursday).
Key agenda at the meeting would be to address whether the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, should retain his position or be replaced.
Damagum, who was the PDP National Chairman (North), became the acting National Chairman following the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, in March last year by a court in Benue State.
Rocketparrot News reported that 60 members of the House of Representatives had on Tuesday called for Damagum’s removal and demanded the appointment of a substantive chairman from the North Central, where Ayu hails from.
Shortly after the meeting, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, affirmed the commitment of the forum to upholding the party’s amended 2017 constitution.
Section 47(6) of the PDP Constitution provides that “Where a vacancy occurs in any of the offices of the party, the executive committee at the appropriate level shall appoint another person from the area or zone where the officer originated from to serve out the tenure”.
The Bauchi State governor asserted that the forum would assume control and prevent any attempt by marauders to factionalize the party.
Responding to issues regarding Damagum, Mohammed said, “I mentioned that the issues have been resolved, and our focus is on operating within the constitutional provisions of the party.
“Therefore, this meeting is not convened to discuss a change in leadership. Our priority is to address all outstanding matters and move forward so that all activities outlined in the party’s constitution, including congresses, are completed within the stipulated timeframe.
“While the public is free to speculate and discuss, it’s important to note that NEC, comprising the PDP Governors’ Forum and other stakeholders, will ultimately make decisions on such matters.
“We are committed to unity within the party and will not allow any factionalisation attempts by external forces. Our goal is to address all issues and ensure the party is unified for optimal performance and success in the upcoming elections.”
