The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a deepening leadership crisis, with its governors divided over the continued tenure of Umar Damagum as the party’s acting national chair.
Damagum, an ally of Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has become a polarizing figure within the party.
Tensions within the PDP have been simmering since the 2023 presidential election, with internal conflicts escalating between factions. In April, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) expressed confidence in Damagum’s leadership, but his continued role has sparked debates among key members of the party.
Some governors, aligned with Wike, support Damagum, while others, led by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, argue that his tenure has become “untenable.”
Calls for North-Central to Lead
Governor Bala Mohammed, chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, raised concerns about Damagum’s position during a meeting with the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) in Bauchi on September 18. He stressed that the position of acting national chair should be filled by someone from the North-Central region, not the North-East, in line with the party’s constitution.
Mohammed said, “My brother from the North-East is currently serving as acting national chairman, which is constitutionally inappropriate. According to our party’s constitution, any leadership vacancy should be filled by someone from the region where it originated. North-Central has been eager for this opportunity, and we’ve discussed this issue.”
Mohammed’s statement was supported by Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State. In a statement released by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke emphasized the need for the party to follow its constitution during this critical time.
“Our party must adhere to its Constitution at this critical time and at all times. That is the way to build a responsible political party,” Adeleke declared, aligning himself with the PDP Governors’ Forum’s position.
Support for Damagum
Despite the growing opposition, several governors have come out in strong support of Damagum. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde reaffirmed his backing during an event in Ibadan, where Damagum was present for the flag-off of the Ladoke Akintola Airport upgrade.
“I am glad also that our acting national chairman and members of the national working committee are here. We are 100 percent in support of Umar Damagum-led NWC,” Makinde said. He urged unity within the party, particularly with a crucial election looming.
Makinde’s stance was echoed by Ahmadu Fintiri, the governor of Adamawa State, who publicly supported Damagum on his social media platform. “Solidly in support of Amb. Umar Damagum as National Chairman of @OfficialPDPNig! His leadership has restored public confidence, and we are confident he will steer the party to greater heights,” Fintiri wrote, calling for respect for the court ruling that upheld Damagum’s position.
Governors Split on Leadership
The division within the PDP is stark. Governors such as Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) are reportedly against Damagum’s leadership. In contrast, governors like Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) and Agbu Kefas (Taraba) have expressed their support for Damagum, while Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal and Enugu Governor Peter Mbah remain neutral on the matter.
The ongoing leadership struggle threatens to further destabilize the PDP as it prepares for key elections and seeks to maintain its position as a major opposition party in Nigeria.
What’s Next for the PDP?
With both sides firmly holding their positions, the PDP’s leadership crisis shows no signs of immediate resolution. As party members push for unity ahead of upcoming elections, the challenge remains how to balance the differing regional interests and constitutional interpretations that have led to this rift.
Observers are keen to see whether the party can find a compromise or if the divisions will deepen further, potentially impacting its ability to effectively contest future elections.