Indications have emerged that the acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, will be given the opportunity to resign from his post next week.
The decision was taken at the party’s governorship meeting held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Tuesday.
Sources familiar with the discussions told Daily Trust that the governors, who are concerned about factionalism within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), are united in their determination to preserve the integrity of the PDP. .
The meeting was convened just before the official flag-off of the PDP gubernatorial election rally in Ondo State, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
It was agreed that Mr. Damagam will remain as Acting National Chairman until the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for October 24th.
Both Damagumu and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South) Ambassador Taofeek Alapaja attended the meeting along with prominent party figures such as PDP Governors Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Governor Seyi Makinde. (Oyo) and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
The discussion at the meeting followed a virtual meeting held earlier on Monday in which Governor Adeleke spoke about the ongoing crisis and the impact it has on his bid for a second term in 2026. expressed disappointment over the impact.
He expressed concern about the negative impact of factionalization on party cohesion.
Adeleke reportedly challenged Governor Caleb Muthofan of Plateau State, saying he did not support retaining the North Central chairmanship since he is a first-term governor from the region.
In response, Mutfan signaled a shift in position and expressed support for a chairman from North Central to abide by the party’s constitution to resolve the ongoing impasse.
Initially, Muthofan, along with Governors Makinde, Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa) and Agbu Kefas (Taraba) opposed Damagum’s removal.
However, Makinde, who is believed to lead the quartet, suggested during a virtual meeting that Damagumu should be allowed a soft landing if he resigns.
At Tuesday’s meeting, it was agreed that Damagum would continue as acting chairperson for a few more days, while the NEC meeting would be used to approve nominations for north-central chairpersonship and discuss dates for the national conference.
