PDP: Pressure Mounts on Damagum to Convene NEC Meeting Amid Leadership Crisis

Critical stakeholders within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are intensifying pressure on the party’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, to ensure that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024, takes place without delay.

The party’s constitution mandates the National Chairman to convene NEC meetings once every quarter, a duty Damagum has yet to fulfill amid the ongoing internal crisis.

Many members are growing frustrated with his reluctance to approve the upcoming NEC meeting, raising concerns over a potential constitutional breach.

Although the October 24 NEC meeting is listed on the party’s official calendar, anxiety is growing among party leaders and members who fear that Damagum may be deliberately stalling.

Sources within the PDP suggest that Damagum’s hesitation stems from political maneuvering regarding the party’s national chairmanship position.

At the heart of the issue is a push to return the national chairmanship to the North Central region following the exit of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the former chairman from Benue State.

According to the PDP’s constitution, the position should revert to the North Central. However, Damagum, from the North East, is reportedly reluctant to step down.

The debate over leadership has divided PDP governors, with some supporting Damagum’s continued leadership, while others, allegedly influenced by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, argue that only a national convention can decide the party’s leadership.

Wike’s camp is reportedly pushing for a broader resolution on the chairmanship issue, further complicating matters.

The National Working Committee (NWC) itself appears divided on whether the NEC meeting should proceed as planned.

The split within the NWC mirrors the party’s broader leadership crisis, with factions issuing suspensions and counter-suspensions in recent weeks.

Despite the internal rifts, some NWC members insist that the meeting must proceed as scheduled.

One NWC member, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Nigerian Tribune that Damagum has no choice but to convene the NEC meeting.

“Damagum is clearly afraid of calling the NEC, even though it has already been scheduled. But the right thing must be done,” the NWC member said.

“The only way to resolve this crisis is for the NEC to hold. The chairmanship post must return to the North Central. Nigerians are watching and waiting for the PDP to fix its issues and return to power.”

The same member added, “Let them do the right thing. Give the North Central its rightful place, and this party will come back strong. Nigerians are looking forward to seeing this resolved.”

When asked about the likelihood of the October 24 NEC meeting proceeding, the NWC member expressed uncertainty but reaffirmed that it was part of the official schedule: “I don’t know if the meeting will hold. We have a plan, and that is to follow the schedule for the NEC meeting. That’s my expectation. NEC is a statutory body that meets quarterly. What’s the big deal? Why is there resistance? It’s puzzling.”

According to sources, dissatisfaction within the party has intensified following recent moves to suspend Damagum.

The alleged suspension of the acting chairman led to significant reactions among PDP members, further highlighting internal discontent.

“You saw the reaction after the suspension,” said the anonymous NWC source. “The uproar was loud and clear. People are calling for change. They want Damagum out. It is his duty to call the NEC meeting, and whether he wants to or not, it has already been scheduled. As far as I’m concerned, the meeting has been called.”

Efforts to obtain comments from the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, were unsuccessful, as he declined to provide a statement when contacted by phone on Friday.

The PDP’s internal struggles continue to concern many party loyalists, who believe that swift and decisive action is necessary to prevent further fractures and maintain the party’s viability ahead of future elections.

With the NEC meeting date just days away, all eyes are on the party to see if it will rise to the occasion and fulfill its constitutional requirement.

Key figures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are ramping up pressure on the party’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, to ensure that the much-anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, slated for Thursday, October 24, 2024, proceeds without further delays.

The PDP’s constitution mandates the National Chairman to hold NEC meetings quarterly. However, Damagum has yet to fulfill this obligation, even as the party grapples with a deepening internal crisis. Frustration is growing among members due to his apparent reluctance to greenlight the upcoming NEC meeting, which some see as a looming constitutional breach.

Although the October 24 NEC meeting is officially on the party’s calendar, concerns are mounting that Damagum might deliberately postpone it. Insiders suggest that his hesitation stems from political maneuvering surrounding the party’s national chairmanship.

A key issue at play is the push to return the national chairmanship to the North Central region, after the exit of former Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, a Benue State native. According to the PDP’s constitution, the leadership role should revert to North Central, but Damagum, who hails from the North East, is reportedly hesitant to step down.

This leadership debate has caused a rift among PDP governors. While some support Damagum’s continued leadership, others, allegedly influenced by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, argue that only a national convention can settle the leadership question. Wike’s faction is advocating for a broader resolution to the chairmanship issue, adding more complexity to the situation.

Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) appears split on whether the NEC meeting should proceed as scheduled. The division within the NWC reflects the broader leadership crisis, with factions issuing suspensions and counter-suspensions, further exacerbating tensions.

Despite the internal discord, some NWC members are adamant that the meeting must take place as planned. One NWC member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Damagum has no choice but to convene the NEC meeting.

“Damagum is clearly hesitant to call the NEC, despite it being scheduled. But the right thing must be done,” the NWC member said. “The only way to resolve this crisis is for the NEC to meet. The chairmanship must return to the North Central. Nigerians are watching and waiting for the PDP to fix its internal issues and reassert its political strength.”

The same member added, “Restoring the North Central to its rightful leadership position will strengthen the party. Nigerians are eager for this matter to be resolved.”

When asked whether the NEC meeting will proceed on October 24, the NWC member expressed uncertainty but stressed that the meeting is part of the official schedule. “I can’t say for sure if it will happen, but we are following the plan. The NEC meets quarterly, and this is no different. Why the resistance? It’s baffling.”

Frustration within the party has escalated following reports that some members moved to suspend Damagum. This alleged suspension triggered widespread reactions among PDP members, further exposing internal discontent.

“The uproar after Damagum’s suspension was loud and clear,” said the anonymous source. “People are calling for change. Damagum must convene the NEC meeting. Whether he wants to or not, the meeting has already been scheduled. It’s his responsibility.”

Efforts to obtain a comment from PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, were unsuccessful, as he declined to provide a statement when contacted on Friday.

The PDP’s ongoing internal strife is a cause for concern among party loyalists who believe decisive action is needed to prevent further division and ensure the party’s competitiveness in future elections.

With the NEC meeting just days away, all eyes are on the party leadership to see if it will adhere to its constitutional obligations and address its internal challenges.