As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepares for its 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for October 24, the leadership in North Central is taking proactive steps to find a replacement for the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum. The upcoming NEC meeting is deemed pivotal for the party’s direction amidst significant internal unrest that has plagued the PDP since the 2023 general elections. Many members have expressed their dissatisfaction with Damagum’s leadership, attributing the party’s current challenges, including its diminishing influence and reputation, to his inability to instigate meaningful reforms within the party’s machinery.
The factional tensions within the party have intensified recently. Notably, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has publicly criticized Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the PDP Governors’ Forum, fueling dissent within party ranks. This ongoing conflict has exacerbated the situation, resulting in calls from the North Central stakeholders for Damagum’s resignation. They cite Section 47(6) of the PDP Constitution, which mandates the executive committee to appoint a replacement from the originating area when a vacancy occurs. In light of these events, the North Central caucus has commenced the search for a potential candidate to be proposed at the impending NEC meeting.
Discussions among leading figures in the North Central zone have begun in earnest, with meetings being held in Abuja. A source within the caucus revealed that they aim to collectively identify a single candidate for endorsement at the October 24 meeting. This strategy is intended to streamline the nomination process and ensure that the North Central zone presents a unified front, likely gravitating towards prominent party figures like former Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam and party chieftain Conrad Utaan. In particular, plans are afoot to convene more meetings leading up to the NEC in order to solidify their candidate choice.
The urgency and significance of the upcoming NEC meeting have been underscored by party leaders, including former National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, who cautioned against any potential postponement of the meeting. He emphasized the critical nature of this assembly for determining Damagum’s successor and asserted that stakeholders are mobilizing to uphold the scheduled date despite prior instances of NEC meetings being delayed. This collective commitment to attending the NEC is indicative of a desire among party members to solidify the future direction of the PDP.
In light of these preparations, Conrad Utaan, an aspirant for the party’s National Chairman role, provided insights into his recent two-hour interrogation by the North Central Caucus. His sentiments reflect optimism regarding the party’s commitment to identifying a suitable candidate for leadership. Utaan highlighted the zone’s unique positioning, with various aspirants also vying for the chairmanship. He speculated that the North Central’s leadership will devise a micro-zoning formula to ensure a cohesive nomination process, ultimately expecting only one name to emerge for consideration at the NEC.
Despite the emerging consensus and cooperation among party members in North Central, attempts to gain insights from Damagum and the current PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, regarding the internal developments have not been successful. This lack of communication further underscores the tensions and uncertainties currently afflicting the party as it navigates the leadership crisis. Once the NEC meeting convenes on October 24, the decisions made during this session will play a crucial role in shaping the PDP’s path forward as it seeks to recover from the impact of internal strife and reestablish its position in Nigeria’s political landscape.
