Governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will meet on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State, to determine the fate of acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum ahead of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on November 28.
The meeting, convened by Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, aims to resolve the party’s leadership crisis.
The governors are divided into two camps, with one led by Governor Mohammed and the other by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. The Makinde camp, aligned with former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, supports Damagum’s continuation until December 2025. In contrast, the opposing camp seeks to replace him.
It is understood that the North Central zone, which previously produced former National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu, is yet to reach a consensus on a replacement. Senator David Mark’s name has been mentioned, but his health challenges may rule him out.
Despite the uncertainty, Damagum has reportedly secured the backing of 29 out of 37 state chairmen and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chairman, which could influence the NEC meeting’s outcome.
Briefing newsmen after a closed-door meeting on Wednesday with the Damagun-led NWC, Imo State PDP Chairman and Interim Chairman, PDP Chairman’s Forum, Austin Nwachukwu, said,” The meeting is simply to familiarise ourselves with the National Working Committee. Recall that few months back, a lot of state congresses were held from wards, local government to the state.
”The NWC deemed it feet to gather all of us in Abuja to enable you know each other. It is essentially to familiarise ourselves with the NWC and those of them whose tenure is still running and will be running out next year.”