The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to postpone its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which was originally scheduled for October 24.
The decision is aimed at giving the governor the necessary time to agree on a political solution that will facilitate the resignation of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum.
Punch and several PDP National Working Committee (NWC) leaders who spoke on condition of anonymity suggested that the postponement would allow governors to address recent factionalism within the party.
They are also expected to raise funds for Damagum’s compensation as part of negotiations for his departure.
Since assuming the role of acting national chairman following the court-ordered removal of Senator Iyorukia Ayu, Damagum has faced mounting criticism from party leaders amid an ongoing crisis within the PDP.
His indecisive nature has further exacerbated tensions in Rivers State, especially between Governor Siminalai Hubala and his predecessor, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
In a surprising development on Friday, the Damagum faction of the NWC announced the suspension of National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Advisor (SAN) Kamaludeen Ajibade for alleged insubordination and acts prejudicial to the party.
Shortly after, Ologunagba countered that the NWC had suspended Mr Damagumu and the national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, for breach of trust and appointed National Treasury and Finance Minister Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as acting national chairman.
But on Tuesday, PDP Governors Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed declared the internal conflict resolved and the suspension lifted, leading to a return to the status quo under the Damagum administration.
According to sources, the Bauchi governor met with Mr. Damagum, Mr. Ologunagba and Mr. Ajibade and urged them to prioritize peace by putting aside their differences and adhering to the directives of the party leadership.
The source said, “The governors were very angry about the factional crisis and felt that the discord was painting the PDP in an even more negative light.With various governors supporting different factions, they felt that political I chose a solution.
“They have suspended all suspensions while seeking urgent political solutions such as financial compensation and granting a PDP ticket to elective office in Borno to cushion Mr. Damagum from his defection from the party. I was instructed to cancel it.
“Currently, the NEC meeting scheduled for October 24th will be postponed as the governors of each country wish to ease tensions.Under these circumstances, it is important to attend the NEC meeting to ensure a positive outcome. It is clear that this will not happen, so the meeting will be delayed to resolve all the issues that are delaying Damagum’s elimination.
“Once they have addressed all the legal issues through political means, they will compensate Mr. Damagum to facilitate his resignation and allow the appointment of a substantive national chairman from North-Central, subject to NEC approval. .
“Once they have clarified the issue with all stakeholders, addressed the vital interests and politically resolved the Damagum issue, they will summon the NEC. A new date will be announced once the plan is finalized.”
Regarding NEC’s new date, an official responded as follows: That will be decided at a meeting scheduled for the next few days. ”
He added: “The encouraging news is that almost all the PDP governors have agreed to use political means to compensate Damagumu and facilitate his departure from the PDP.” In fact, Plateau State Governor Caleb Muthofan has promised to convene a North Central Zone Executive Committee meeting to suggest an acceptable name ahead of the new NEC date.
“They also agreed that in addition to North Central nominating Mr. Damagumu’s replacement, that candidate must be acceptable to the northern party leadership and all PDP governors. If not, NEC members may have to vote on the day.
