The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set August 15, 2024, as the date for the election of a substantive national chairman, marking a significant development in the ongoing power struggle within the party.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, once a formidable force within the PDP, seems to be losing control to the influential former governor of Rivers State and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The decision to defer the election to August 15, amidst ongoing ward and state congresses, is perceived as a strategic move to weaken Atiku’s influence and strengthen Wike’s hold on the party’s structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the heart of the power struggle is the role of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Illya Damagum, who is believed to be aligned with Wike’s faction. Despite calls for leadership change, the PDP’s national caucus ruled against it, extending Damagum’s tenure until the next NEC meeting.
Speaking on the decision, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, “emphasized the party’s focus on unity and reconciliation, sidelining discussions on leadership change.”
However, dissenting voices within the party, notably Senator Adoulphus Wabara, Chairman of the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), “expressed concerns over the prolonged tenure of Damagum, particularly to the detriment of the northeast geo-political zone.”
Wabara’s stance may have influenced the NEC’s decision to set a date for the election of a new chairman from the northeast zone.
In response to internal strife and demands for direction, the NEC appointed former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to chair a reconciliation committee, and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom, to head the disciplinary committee.
Meanwhile, indications suggest a strategic move to appease the North Central region, with former deputy national secretary of the party, Emmanuel Agbo, tipped to replace CID Maduabum as Director General of the PDP Governors’ Forum.