PDP NWC meets as BoT crisis deepens

NIGERIA —  The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party has extended to the Board of Trustees, as the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum’s group vows to silence efforts opposing his leadership.

A close official source who pleaded anonymity disclosed that plans are underway to replace certain Board of Trustees members for being critical of Damagum.

He noted that the National Working Committee of the PDP will meet on Thursday to address key issues affecting the party’s future.

Since assuming the role of acting National Chairman following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s court removal, Damagum has faced increasing criticisms from party leaders amid the ongoing PDP crisis, with rising calls for his resignation.

At the 98th NEC meeting on April 18, party leaders approved the formation of a reconciliation and disciplinary committee.

They also decided to hold ward and state congresses and assigned the North Central Caucus with the task of consulting on replacing the acting National Chairman with a permanent one.

The 99th NEC meeting, originally scheduled for August 15, was postponed to October 24, 2024, then rescheduled for November 28, 2024, and is now delayed indefinitely.

The PDP Governors Forum, headed by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has directed the NWC to convene the NEC by February at the latest.

The Chairman of the PDP BoT, former Senate President Adulphus Wabara, berated the NWC and charged that NEC should hold in February to address all unresolved issues.

Wabra also called on the North Central to nominate Damagum’s replacement at the meeting.

In addition to the BoT, opposition voices against the Damagum-led NWC have become more vocal since the last postponement.

The source added that Damagum faction, backed by Wike and Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba, has penetrated nearly all PDP organs.

He stated “As we speak, they have taken over almost all organs of the party. Based on how the NWC has been operating for the past two years, I’m sure you know who is behind it. Recently, the Imo State PDP Chairman was appointed as Chairman of the Chairmen Forum, all to serve their purpose. Most NEC members are aligned with them; the only organ left that is critical of their moves is the BoT.

“Already, as we speak, they have also infiltrated the BoT. They are currently plotting to replace some BoT members. The plan is to ensure that the BoT is dominated by their loyalists so that the organ won’t be critical of Damagum’s leadership as it has been in recent times.”

In a related development, a senior NWC member confirmed to our correspondent that the NWC will meet on Thursday to address party matters.

“The NWC will meet tomorrow, Thursday, to discuss party matters. We will also engage with the Cross River State chapter regarding the alleged suspension of the chairman. We plan to address a few issues as we wrap up for the year.”

Efforts to get response from Damagum and the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, were unsuccessful.

In response, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, stated that the timing for the NEC meeting had been finalised, confirming that a consensus had been reached to hold the NEC in February.