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  • One-party controversy: Ganduje, Damagum, Gabam clash

    One-party controversy: Ganduje, Damagum, Gabam clash

    • PDP, SDP chairmen, LP tackle APC chair

    The one-party state controversy, which arose after a spate of defections into the All Progressives Congress (APC) since the tsunami in Delta State, deepened at the weekend.

    Many commentators and opposition figures have accused the APC of plotting a one-party state by wooing and winning over opposition political office holders – governors, federal and state lawmakers.

    But the APC has consistently said those joining it are doing so willingly, having been attracted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s performance and plans for the country.

    The APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, chided those accusing the ruling party of plotting to push the country into a one-party system.

    Ganduje, a former Kano State governor, said: “A one-party state is not by force. It’s by negotiation. It’s because other political parties see the effect of the positive governance of our party.

    “If they decide to come to our party, willingly, I think there is nothing wrong with that.

    “Today, democratic China is one of the strongest countries in the world, and it’s a one-party system.

    “We are not saying we are working for a one-party system, but if this is the wish of Nigerians, we cannot quarrel with that.

    “You know they say too many cooks spoil the soup, too many political parties spoil governance.”

    Ganduje spoke at Aso Villa when he led the three Kebbi State senators – Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) – all elected on the PDP platform, to meet with President Tinubu for final negotiation ahead of their defection this week to the ruling party.

    But PDP National Chairman Umar Ilya Damagum and National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Shehu Musa Gabam lashed out at Ganduje on his position.

    READ ALSO: Corruption and failed refineries

    Damgum described the idea of a single-party state as “madness”.

    He said: “One-party system can only happen somewhere else, not in this country.

    “Recall what history says about anybody wishing for a one-party state. Where will such people end?”

    Gabam said: “The PDP, the party in power before the emergence of APC, passed through that route some time ago, deluding themselves that they would be in control of levers of power forever, but that fell on their faces.

    “It is Nigerians who are in the best position to tell if their lives have changed for the better or that they have been impacted positively under the APC.

    “The motivation of the ongoing gale of defections, particularly by some governors and elected political office holders, is not altruistic.

    “It is self-serving and undeniably done for self-preservation. 

    “Nigerians are in agreement that the power of choice through democratic options that multi-party democracy offers is one that cannot and should not be compromised.

    “A one-party system breeds authoritarian rule and erodes the freedom of the electorate.

    “It is not debatable that Nigeria needs a strong opposition for democratic consolidation.”

    Gabam spoke through the National Publicity Secretary of SDP, Rufus Aiyenigba.

    The Labour Party, which criticised the ruling class for being selfish, said self-interest is behind defections to the ruling party.

    Publicity Secretary of the Julius Abure faction, Obiora Ifoh, who spoke on behalf of the party, said Nigerians would not support a one-party state.

    He said: “One-party system is undemocratic and it breeds tyranny. Nigerians will not be pushed into that political system.

    “However, it must be said that many political parties are in crisis today because some leaders of those parties are not willing to subject themselves to party supremacy.

    “As such, political office holders use the inherent confusion in these parties to jump over to the ruling party, hoping to have easy access to political relevance and the cover provided by the ruling party.

    “Is it not absurd that a governor of an opposition party cannot even critique constructively or even appraise the ruling party in the face of the myriad economic challenges in the country today?

    “Or how do you explain how another opposition governor, barely two years into a government, is now campaigning for a president from another party against his own party?

    “The political class is so selfish that what counts for them is survival first, and they can do everything to ensure that they hold onto power, including betraying the party that sponsored them to the office.”

  • Delta mass defection to APC painful, shocking, Damagum laments

    Delta mass defection to APC painful, shocking, Damagum laments

    The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum, has expressed deep disappointment over the wave of defections of party and state government officials in Delta State to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as both painful and shocking.

    “It’s their decision, but the pain remains with us—not for personal reasons, but because of the immense support we’ve given Delta State. From backing the current governor to supporting his predecessor, who also ran as our Vice Presidential candidate, we least expected this kind of betrayal,” Damagum lamented.

    He made the remarks at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja during the presentation of the party’s Certificate of Return to Architect Jude Ezenwafor, the sole aspirant and candidate for the November 8 Anambra State governorship election.

    Damagum, joined by the acting National Secretary, Architect Setonji Koshoedo, National Legal Adviser Alhaji Kamaldeen Ajibade, and National Organizing Secretary Captain Bature Umar (rtd), also expressed concern over the ruling APC’s political maneuvers, which he said were destabilizing the opposition and creating a difficult environment for the PDP.

    “You may have your own tactics but you cannot outplay God, we leave our faith in the hands of God and we believe He will help us out of this great situation,” he stated.

    According to Damagum who assured the PDP governorship candidate of victory, the extremely reduced interest in struggling for the PDP governorship ticket that Ezenwafor won as an unopposed candidate has also manifested such first-time peaceful process that indicate very bright prospects.

    “For the first time, a PDP governorship candidate emerged in Anambra in a rancour-free process and this is also the first time that we got a state executive that emerged from the state congress without a single court order; this shows that we are now getting it right in Anambra.

    “You see, if God wants to help you, he takes out all the thorns along the way and I know that we now have one united party in Anambra today; your commitment, belief and sincerity would see us through this election, victory would be yours.

    “You have started well, from the evolution of the state executive to your emergence as our candidate, I think what you need to do is to go back and consolidate by going to make sure that everyone comes back on board; I assure you of our total support and commitment,” he told Ezenwafor.

    Speaking further on the mass media’s interest in hearing PDP’s response to the developments in Delta state, Damagum emphasized that there is need for party members to renew their hope in God towards overcoming the APC threat in 2027 general elections.

    “I know that Nigerians are eager to hear from us about what happened to the PDP in Delta state: it is very sad and unfortunate because to me, if there’s any state that should think that way, it should not have been Delta, because the party has been very magnanimous to them but I thank God that they have not said that the party did anything wrong to them other than good.

    “All the same, this is a party that has seen more than that, but ii’s still standing and I want to use this opportunity to say, we’ll take over our structures immediately by setting up a caretaker team; we are still taking stocks and we will do that immediately.

    “I also want to enjoin our members, both in Delta and other parts of the country, I want to remind us about what happened in 2023: the PDP can still make it!. 

    “Peter Obi had no governor but he muscled those votes that he muscled so, this election in 2027 will not be about how many governors you have or how many (party) leaders; it’s about Tinubu versus Nigerians and they will give him the result before 12 noon on voting day because you can coerce, persuade, and intimidate our members to support you but the ordinary man is feeling the pinch and the decision is his.

    “So I want to use this opportunity to tell Nigerians that it is their election, it is APC versus Nigerians; it is not APC versus any governor or Senator but APC versus Nigerians.

    “I want to urge all of us to close ranks and rescue ourselves from this hardship that is inflicted on us by design, not any coincidence; policies are meant for people, not animals but they made policies that are not yielding good results for the ordinary people.

    “People should not be deterred, we will experience a lot of challenges but there is no challenge that is insurmountable; I thank God that we are all people of faith, we know that there is a limit to whatever one can do other than what God has designed,” Damagum stated.

    Read Also: PDP crisis: Damagum raises the alarm over resignation rumour

    In his speech, Ezenwafor who was accompanied by his wife, members of in PDP State Working Committee Anambra state and campaign officials assured Damagum that he was going home to consolidate and win the November 8 governorship election, adding that governors from other states across Nigeria will soon be coming to learn governance strategies from his exemplary leadership in Anambra State.

    “After my elections, all other governors will come and take lessons, especially on the way to do their own security; as a former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on security, I will not take things for granted.

    “I appreciate your fatherly support, but I want to tell all of us here that PDP Anambra State is a PDP state; all of us contesting the governorship election in Anambra State today, including the serving governor were once governorship aspirants within the PDP but as a bridge-builder, I will consolidate and move forward,” Ezenwafor stated.

  • PDP crisis deepens as Damagum disowns pro-Wike south-south congress

    PDP crisis deepens as Damagum disowns pro-Wike south-south congress

    The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took another dramatic turn on Thursday as the party’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, rejected the February 22 South-South congress that re-elected Chief Dan Orbih, a known loyalist of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. 

    Speaking at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, Damagum declared that the congress was invalid, stating that the tenure of the zonal committee had expired.

    “As far as this party is concerned, there was no congress or election in the South-South,” he said. He explained that a new caretaker committee was necessary ahead of the upcoming zonal congresses. 

    Damagum’s stance directly contradicts the declaration by Vita Abba, Chairman of the electoral committee, who had earlier affirmed Orbih’s re-election with 174 votes. 

    While inaugurating the new South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, Damagum warned its members against favoritism and bias.

    He also criticised PDP members who publicly praised the All Progressives Congress (APC) government, asserting that the PDP remains strong and has a promising future.

    Damagum spoke further: “I also want to use this opportunity to tell Nigerians that this party, the PDP, is still the party to beat, a party that has been tested for 27 years and all these shenanigans you see around, the APC and others have not been more than 10 years old.

    The PDP is the guarantee for Nigerians to change the course of what is happening today in our country, I want to use this opportunity to caution our leaders, don’t fear them; nobody is going to change your destiny for you other than yourself.

    “I’ve noticed maybe because of fears; you sometimes find (PDP) leaders encouraging this present administration at the center; I find it really very disgusting so, please and please, let’s be up and doing, don’t fear anyone, Nigeria belong to all of us,” Damagum told his party members.

    At the occasion attended by Bayelsa state governor, Douye Diri and the Delta state Deputy governor who represented his principal, Sheriff Oborevwori, Hon Sunday Udeh-Okoye attended as his first public function as PDP National Secretary while Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara declared the event as the happiest day in his 77 years on earth, adding that he would go home and pop champagne.

    Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro who described the event as ‘a very heartwarming day’ emphasized that PDP is now on the way towards restoring its fortunes, pointing out that as a national brand with presence in every town and village across Nigeria, PDP has no need discussing merger options with any other political party.

    Read Also: Court restrains PDP, Damagum from reversing Southsouth zonal congress outcome

    Delivering the vote of thanks in his first public outing as PDP National secretary, Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye applauded the PDP stakeholders who helped actualize a new Caretaker Committee for the South-South in place of the pro-Wike leadership of Chief Orbih.

    “We thank you (South-South stakeholders) for remaining resolute in that zone and for honouring the invitation for us to inaugurate this wonderful committee, and I remain your National Secretary for today,” Udeh-Okoye said.

    In the appreciation speech on behalf of members of the new PDP South-South Caretaker Committee, its chairman, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, pledged that they would discharge their responsibilities in the zone without any form of bias.

    Other members of the seven-member PDP South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee are: Chief Damiete Herbert-Miller (Secretary), Hon. Nicholas Ayuwa, Barrister Godwin Akpan Udonta, Mrs. Bekewei Ashanti, Mr. Idehen Ebomoyi, and Dame Vivian Ahanmisi.

    Attendees at the event included several members of the PDP National Working Committee, the Board of Trustees, former Senators and a handful of present and former members of the House of Representatives.

  • Court restrains PDP, Damagum from reversing Southsouth zonal congress outcome

    Court restrains PDP, Damagum from reversing Southsouth zonal congress outcome

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its acting National Chairman, Iliya Damagum, from taking any step that could adversely affect the outcome of the recent Southsouth zonal meeting and congress of party.

    The outcome of the meeting and congress is now subject of a suit pending before the court.

    Justice James Omotosho issued the order yesterday while ruling on an ex parte motion filed in a suit filed by Alabh George Turnah (for himself as Zonal Secretary of the Southsouth zone of the PDP and members of the Southsouth zonal working committee of the party).

    The defendants in the suit are listed as: Damagum, the PDP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Turnah alleged that the national PDP was planning to hold a meeting on March 11 to nullify the outcome of the Southsouth zonal meeting of the party held in Benin, the Edo State capital, on February 15, and the zonal elective congress held in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, on February 22.

    Read Also; Tinubu charges Governors to sustain economic, other relief efforts

    The plaintiff recalled that at the February 22 elective congress, Chief Dan Orbih was re-elected as the Vice Chairman of the PDP for the Southsouth Zone and other party chieftains as members of the Zonal Working Committee of the party for the Southsouth Zone.

    Turnah is contending, among others, that it is not the responsibility of the party’s national leadership to determine how the zonal leadership of the party conducts its congresses and hold meetings.

    He averred that it was the national PDP that set the timetable for zonal congresses, which formed the basis of the Southsouth zonal congress held in Calabar on February 22.

    After listening to plaintiff’s lawyer, Ibrahim Idris (SAN), Justice Omotosho refused to grant the motion ex parte on the grounds that it was fair and just to give the defendants the opportunity to be heard before the court could take a decision on the reliefs sought.

    The judge held that the matter, facts and allegations by the plaintiff are so weighty that granting the interim injunctions sought in the ex parte motion without hearing the defendants/respondents “will cause serious damage to the working of the party”.

    He also held that “it is just and fair to give the defendants/respondents the opportunity to be heard in respect of this injunctive application.

    “This is not to say that the plaintiff does not have a legal right to protect, but because it would be better to give the defendants/respondents the opportunity to present their cases.”

    Justice Omotosho ordered the plaintiffs to serve the defendants/respondents with the motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions and other documents so far filed through substituted means for them to react.

    By the substituted service granted by the court, the plaintiff is required to serve all the court documents on Damagum and the PDP at the party’s headquarters in Abuja by pasting or handling to any adult in the building.

    Justice Omotosho emphasised the need for the court to protect judicial proceedings and ordered that no party, the defendants inclusive, shall take any steps to overreach the motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions dated March 6, 2025 but filed on March 7, 2025.

    The judge adjourned till March 18 for the defendants/respondents to respond to the motion for interlocutory injunctions and for possible hearing of the motion.

  • External forces threatening PDP’s unity, Wabara, Damagum warn

    External forces threatening PDP’s unity, Wabara, Damagum warn

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and the party’s acting national chairman of the party, Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum, have raised concerns over external forces attempting to manipulate the party’s leadership, warning that such interference threatens its unity, focus, and direction. 

    Speaking at a PDP Board of Trustees meeting at the party’s national secretariat on Thursday—just before tensions escalated—they expressed deep concern over the party’s current state.

    They emphasised the need for stability and affirmed that the PDP National Executive Council (NEC), the party’s highest decision-making body, should convene in February to address pressing issues.

    Wabara said: “This meeting comes at a time when the unity, focus direction and ideals of our great Party are being tested in ways that call for reflection and decisive action.

    “Primarily, let me express my profound disappointment over the crises currently rocking the leadership of the National Working Committee (NWC); as elder statesmen and women, leaders who hold the trust of the generality of our party members and the public, it is disheartening that these issues have not been resolved.

    “The failure to resolve these internal conflicts undermines the strength and credibility of our party; it is therefore imperative that the NWC rises above personal interests and places the survival and progress of our great party above all other considerations.

    “In the light of these challenges, I must emphasize the urgent need for a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting; I again urge the NWC to honour its words and convene the NEC meeting as scheduled in February 2025.

    “It is pertinent to stress that party members across the country are in earnest expectation that the NEC meeting will be held this February,” Wabara stated, adding that PDP remains the only hope for Nigerians.

    In his speech, Damagum lamented that some highly influential personalities whom partymen look up to as leaders are tormenting crises within the party leadership, with various mischief that include inviting members of the PDP National Working Committee to secret meetings without informing him.

    “I want to say this with the highest sense of responsibility, part of this crisis that you see today within the NWC, is propelled by our leaders who are supposed to unite us; it is very unfortunate and I would say it the way it is.

    “I’ll be sitting down as the chairman only to see or hear about my members in PDP NWC being called by certain leaders to visit certain places, for secret meetings without my knowledge; each one of you, if you are the chairman, will find this difficult and I want to use this opportunity to caution us, caution our leaders.

    “You may have ambition, but you don’t ride on a dead horse to reach your destination: if you create crisis simply to further your ambition, you may get what you want, but your dream will not be realized, because by that time, you have injured the horse you are going to ride to that destination,” Damagum said.

    Pointing out that the PDP has successfully concluded state congresses in about 29 states, Damagum expressed concerns that the unnamed leaders could try to infuse some m8schief into the Zonal party congresses being planned by the PDP.

    “Even at that, I enjoin our leaders to also be mindful of doing anything that can mar these congresses; It’s very important to sound this note because whatever we do, it is the structure you are building to hold what you have at your hand,” he added.

    Read Also: Why Damagum should continue in office till Dec., by NWC members 

    Speaking further, Damagum acknowledged that some of them are complicit part of the party’s problems, adding that arrangements will be made towards convening the PDP NEC meeting in February.

    “As the conscience of this party, some of us are also complicit; we should look inwards, search our conscience.

    “This party is dear to all of us, it is the only thing we have, the hope of Nigerians today is on this party, so we should sheath our swords, and work towards uniting ourselves so that we’ll have a credible vehicle that can challenge what is bedeviling us.

    “At the last meeting we had with the governor, we all agreed we’ll have an NEC meeting; I want to assure you that we’ll do everything possible to have this NEC meeting this February,” Damagum pledged.

    PDP leaders at the BoT meeting on Thursday include former PDP Caretaker Chairman and Secretary of BoT, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Hajia Inna Ciroma, Senator Ben Obi, Chairman of PDP Reconciliation Committee, Col Olagunsoye Oyinlola (rtd), former Niger state governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu while those who sent apologies for their absence included Senator David Mark, Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Gov Bala Mohammed, ex-governor of Gombe state, Alhaji Dankwamb9 and Professor Jerry Gana.

  • Proxy wars killing PDP, Damagum must stay till December 2025 – PDP NWC deputy officials insist

    Proxy wars killing PDP, Damagum must stay till December 2025 – PDP NWC deputy officials insist

    …call for unity amid internal rift 

    Elected deputies in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have declared that the party’s acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum, will remain in office until December 2025, despite internal opposition and ongoing proxy wars. 

    Speaking on behalf of other deputy officials during a press conference at the PDP headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, the party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Mr. Timothy Osadolor, acknowledged the growing disillusionment among party members.

    He urged aggrieved party leaders opposing Damagum’s leadership to consider exiting the party, while calling on loyal members to unite in rebuilding the PDP. 

    Osadolor emphasized the urgent need to restore trust and integrity within the party, citing issues of insincerity, broken agreements, and self-serving interests as key challenges.

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    He lamented that the ongoing internal conflicts were diverting attention from the party’s core objectives. 

    The press briefing was attended by other senior PDP officials, including Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi, Deputy National Financial Secretary Ndubisi Eneh, and Deputy National Organising Secretary Pascal Adigwe, all of whom endorsed the call for party unity and support for Damagum’s leadership.

    “Worrisome is the action of members of the party who, under the guise of being  ‘due process advocates,’ act on behalf of self-serving leaders lurking behind the scenes mischievously, causing misunderstanding in the party; this behaviour is self-serving on their part, as it is not in the interest of the PDP in any way.

    “It is ethically and morally wrong for members of the party to move around, creating confusion instead of exploring our internal mechanism for peace; while we await the verdict of the courts, the ongoing crisis in Edo, where the APC and INEC-chosen governor is going berserk with their actions and pronouncements needs attention.

    “This is no longer the time for blame game, all have sinned – from the Board of Trustees Chairman who endorsed an opposition governor, to candidates that negotiated and supported other parties’ candidates – to NWC members and leaders that lost their polling units,” he added while emphasizing that too many party bigwigs can be easily accused of actively contributing to PDP’s sad situation.

    Speaking further, he emphasized that while there is no saint within the party, the PDP NWC deputy officials firmly believe that the only pragmatic solution for the entire party is to rally round the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum and ensure that he remains in office without distractions until his due exit in December 2025.

    “We must all come down from our high horses, forget pride for now and join hands with the party as led by Amb Ilyas Damagun to reposition this party back to winning ways; court distractions and media de-marketing of the PDP must stop forthwith.

    “You do not need to like the officers, but the party is more important; if you want to resign and go, be a proper part of the opposition, do not be here and going from television stations to radio house, abusing the party.

    “The case of the acting national chairman is settled till December 2025, and on that of the National Secretary, we must wait for the courts to decide; let us learn to love and support PDP first and always.

    “We the (PDP NWC) deputies are committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that PDP regains its pride of place and finds herself back in Aso Rock for the benefit of Nigeria and all Nigerians.

    “The current hardships of insecurity and poverty that Nigerians are facing serve as a reminder of what can happen when a party like PDP fails in doing the needful; the task ahead is to prepare for the next elections and not the present bickering which is distracting attention and misdirecting energies that could have been put to better use.

    “From 2013 till date, personal ambitions have driven us to heights of pure mischief and arrogant use of power and this has led to agreements not being kept and the ambiguities in our constitution being exploited by those in position, even through the courts; we are all complicit by being perpetrators, supporters or silent onlookers; no one is coming to save us, we must stand up and become heroes, we brought ourselves here.

    “Tomorrow beckons on us, we need to rise and surmount these challenges; as we await the outcome of the ongoing litigations, let us work towards the upcoming constitutionally-backed stakeholder engagements, embrace each other, and put plans in place to amend the ambiguities and loopholes in our Constitution.

    “Our ambitions must be within the ambits of the law and must be pursued with sincerity and loyalty to the party, not the mischief and arrogance that we always display; we thank all our party members who are still keeping the flag and membership of this party across the 774 local governments of this country,” Timothy Osadolor stated.

  • PDP Northcentral stakeholders push for Damagum’s replacement

    PDP Northcentral stakeholders push for Damagum’s replacement

    Top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in the Northcentral have said the zone will present a replacement for the party’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum, early next year.

    The stakeholders issued a communiqué after a meeting held at an undisclosed location in Abuja and attended by two former Senate presidents, two former presidential aspirants, erstwhile senators, a serving member of PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) who once led the suspension of Damagum, former ministers, four ex-governors and the only serving governor in the zone.

    They said there were overtures among the party’s leaders across the North to remove Damagum and replace him with someone from the Northcentral.

    A former House of Representatives member from Nassarawa State, David Ombugadu, and a former Benue State governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, attended the meeting.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s vision for the livestock sector will unlock vast potential – Minister 

    Their three-point communiqué after the meeting reads: “The stakeholders (elders) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reviewed the state of the party with particular reference to the vacant position of National Chairman of the party following the exit of Senator Iyorchia Ayu.

    “The PDP’s constitution clearly states that succession of offices in the party at all levels is largely to the extent that any vacant position can be replaced by appointment from the zone, as per Section 47 (6) of the party.

    “The party is guided by its constitution at all times. Therefore, the leadership of the party needs to rise up to the occasion to restore goodwill and cohesion in the party by making necessary sacrifices and compromises to restore confidence and cohesion in the party.

    “It is in the light of this that the stakeholders of the Northcentral Zone appeal to the conscience and goodwill of our compatriots in other zones of the Northern region to restore the seat of the chairmanship of the party back to the Northcentral Zone to serve out its tenure.

    “That the stakeholders must strive to build consensus to get the buy-in to the position of Northcentral zone.

    “The Northcentral is united and will strive to preserve the PDP as a veritable platform for good governance in Nigeria.”

    The PDP Northcentral stakeholders at the meeting included Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang; ex-Senate Presidents David Mark and Bukola Saraki; serving National Legal Adviser, Alhaji Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); former Interior Minister, Senator Abba Moro; ex-Governors Jonah Jang (Plateau), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara) and Idris Wada (Kogi).

    Others are: Senators Tunde Ogbeha, Dino Melaye, Zainab Kure, Philip Aduda, Mohammed Onawo and Peter Jiya, Suleiman Adokwe, and Simon Mwadkwon, Mrs. Margaret Icheen, Mr. Raymond Dabo, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, Labaran Maku, Prof. Jerry Gana, Maika Jiba, and Isa Dobi.

  • PDP crisis: Govs mount fresh pressure on Damagum

    PDP crisis: Govs mount fresh pressure on Damagum

    • Want his fate determined by February 2025
    • Acting Chair to defy govs, cling on till Dec 2025
    • Row over Kogi PDP Chairmanship election result

    The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum, has come under fresh pressure from stakeholders of the party who want him out.

    This time, they hope to seal his fate not later than February 2025.

    The PDP Governors’ Forum, the party’s Board of Trustees, National Assembly Caucus, former Governors Forum, Former Ministers’ Forum and the National Working Committee (NWC) yesterday met in Jos, the Plateau State capital, where they directed the Damagum-led NWC to call the much postponed meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) by the first week of February.

    The planned deliberation, according to them, is to allow for elaborate consultations with critical stakeholders of the party.

    They plan to use the period between now and the forthcoming meeting to “address the existential problems confronting the party, with a deliberate timeline of activities within the period under review to address issues of leadership and litigations” facing it.

    The anti-Damagum members do not want him to remain in the saddle until November next year when he could have influence on the election of the party’s next leadership that will oversee the emergence of the party’s  presidential candidate in 2027.

    But sources told The Nation last night that the plot might not work out as envisaged.

    At yesterday’s meeting, some participants, notably from the North Central Caucus led by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, pressed for a PDP NEC meeting to decide on a substantive national chairman from the zone to complete Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s tenure.

    It was however gathered that some other members including the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, were able to calm frayed nerves.

    A source said: “With a clear expression of common conviction that the current economic challenges (in the country) would ensure PDP’s victory in 2027, Governor Bala Mohammed and Governor Seyi Makinde, who considered lingering indications that preparations for PDP zonal congresses might  be another excuse for the Damagum-led PDP National Working Committee to do a fifth postponement of PDP NEC Meeting, proposed a firm consensus that the meeting must take place in late January or early February 2025.”

    The NEC meeting had been shifted four times, leaving those against Damagum’s continued stay in office apparently frustrated.

    The situation almost got out of hand on October 11 when the pro and anti-Damagum sides resorted to self-help with each side claiming to sack key party functionaries loyal to the other side.

    The Damagum group went a step further by obtaining a court order restraining the party from removing him as acting national chairman.

    Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja also restrained the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) from  recognising any person other than Damagum as  PDP chairman until the national convention of the party scheduled for December next year.

    Justice Lifu held that under Articles 42, 47 and 67 of the PDP constitution, it is only at the National Convention of the party that national officers can be elected.

    The judge said PDP members are bound by the constitution of the party and as such must always act in line with the provisions and obedience to the party’s law.

    Why removing Damagum now may be tough —Sources

    Party sources told The Nation last night that the injunction obtained by the Damagum group may constitute a stumbling block for those agitating for his ouster.

    One of the sources, a former governor elected on the platform of the party, said the PDP as a party that often lays claim to being democratic could not afford to be seen disregarding a court order.

    The NEC meeting had been shifted four times, leaving those against Damagum’s continued stay in office apparently frustrated.

    The situation almost got out of hand on October 11 when the pro and anti-Damagum sides resorted to self-help with each side claiming to sack key party functionaries loyal to the other side.

    The Damagum group went a step further by obtaining a court order restraining the party from removing him as acting national chairman.

    Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja also restrained the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) from  recognising any person other than Damagum as  PDP chairman until the national convention of the party scheduled for December next year.

    Justice Lifu held that under Articles 42, 47 and 67 of the PDP constitution, it is only at the National Convention of the party that national officers can be elected.

    The judge said PDP members are bound by the constitution of the party and as such must always act in line with the provisions and obedience to the party’s law.

    Why removing Damagum now may be tough —Sources

    Party sources told The Nation last night that the injunction obtained by the Damagum group may constitute a stumbling block for those agitating for his ouster.

    One of the sources, a former governor elected on the platform of the party, said the PDP as a party that often lays claim to being democratic could not afford to be seen disregarding a court order.

    The source said the party has eminent lawyers in its fold who are always ready to call attention to any move to breach the principles of democracy.

    Other sources said Damagum, who is believed to be particularly close to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesome Wike, keeps working hard to consolidate his position.

    Last week, he met with newly-elected PDP state chairmen and incumbent chairmen from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

    In attendance at the meeting were members of the PDP National Executive Council (NEC).

    Speaking with reporters shortly before the meeting, Damagum said the state chairmen’s visit was more of a familiarization visit than the expectation of tension and threats that was being disseminated on social media.

    Damagum said: “My state chairmen are my commanders in the states. This is not an unusual meeting; we’ve had this kind of meetings before.

    “This is not the first time, and for the records, I want to make it very clear that this meeting is to interact with the state chairmen.

    “You can see from the introduction, more than half of the state chairmen here are brand new and it is for us to know ourselves and also discuss other matters such as the coming Zonal Congresses.

    “It has nothing to do, like has been insinuated in the social media, about NEC or something of that nature, and I had no prior meeting with any of the state chairmen before we met in this hall.”

    Speaking on behalf of his colleagues after the meeting, Chief Austin Nwachukwu, the Imo State PDP Chairman, who is also the Interim Chairman of PDP State Chairmen’s Forum, told reporters that there was no tension, adding that they also found no need to declare a vote of confidence in Ambassador Damagum because all is well with the party’s leadership.

    We remain resolute on party unity, cohesion for national leadership, say PDP govs, others

    In a communiqué at the end of yesterday’s meeting in Jos, the PDP Governors Forum acknowledged the party’s internal conflicts and divisions, but said the PDP remained resolute on its unity and cohesion to regain power at the centre.

    The meeting said it was constrained to “accept the latest postponement of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party in empathy with our colleague, H.E. Governor Eno Bassey, whose late dear wife will be buried on the same day earlier scheduled for NEC.

    “Once again, the Forum wishes to commiserate with our colleague and pray that God will grant him and the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

    “The Forum is strongly advising the NWC to call NEC latest by the first week of February 2025 to allow for elaborate consultations with critical stakeholders of the party.

    “The period between November and February is to address the existential problems confronting the Party, with a deliberate timeline of activities within the period under review to address issues of leadership and litigations confronting the Party.”

    It decried the “oppressive economic hardship foisted on the nation by the policies and decisions of the APC-led Federal Government,” and asked the President to “urgently review both macroeconomic and fiscal policies that will address the welfare and well-being of Nigerians.”

    The Forum pledged that all PDP governors would “continue to aggressively pursue policies and “programmes that will reduce the hardship and ensure progress and development”.

    It also deplored the conduct of the recent governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, both of which were won by the APC.

    It said: “The Forum notes with concern the rape on democracy in Edo governorship election. It is clear to everyone with conscience that INEC manipulated results in favour of the APC candidate when in fact majority of lawful votes were won by the PDP candidate, Mr. Asue Ighodalo.

    “Meanwhile, we are still examining the documents in Ondo elections where the APC manipulated results after openly buying votes.

    “The Forum calls on the judiciary to save Nigerian democracy and the National Assembly to look into our electoral laws to make it difficult for institutional sabotage of the will of the people.”

    In attendance at the meeting were Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (Bauchi State), Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau State), host governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas (Taraba State), Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa State).

    Others were Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Dr. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State; Sir Monday Onyeme, Deputy Governor, Delta State and Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, Deputy Governor Enugu State.

    Row over Kogi PDP chairmanship election result

    The runner up at the PDP Kogi State chairmanship election of August 31, 2024, Mohammad Gambo, yesterday asked the party’s national leadership to swear him in as the duly elected state chairman in the election.

    He warned that failure to do so would cause further danger for the party in the state.

    Read Also: Ondo election: PDP will die under Damagum, Ologbondiyan raises alarm

    Gambo said he must be sworn in “with immediate effect and to enable me assume the responsibility of repositioning our party for victory ahead the 2007 general election.”

    Gambo claimed that a high court had barred Enemona Anyebe who was declared winner from contesting in the election.

    Gambo, who displayed copies of certified true copy (CTC) of the court ruling, said: “The illegality associated with having Enemona Anyebe as Chairman, having not been duly elected, having been barred from contesting by a court order through an injunction that was not vacated, is criminal and a crime against humanity, particularly for law abiding members of the PDP in Kogi State who have remained in the party as founding members.

    “Having therefore emerged as runner-up, it behoves the NWC to swear me in without let or hindrance.

    “It is important to place on record that the court order which debarred Hon. Enemona from contesting in the said PDP congress has become public knowledge implying that any interested party or person within and outside PDP can use it to upturn any primaries conducted by him.”

    When contacted on the phone, Anyebe said he was on transit, adding that he would react at appropriate time.

    “I am now on transit. I will react at the appropriate time,” he said.

  • No tension in PDP leadership, state chairmen back Damagum

    No tension in PDP leadership, state chairmen back Damagum

    As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepares for its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on November 28, Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum chaired a crucial meeting with PDP state chairmen from across the 36 states on Wednesday in Abuja. 

    During the meeting, held at the party’s national headquarters in Wadata Plaza, Damagum and the state chairmen dismissed claims of internal tension or threats to his leadership.

    In separate interviews, the chairmen, who also serve as members of the NEC under the PDP Constitution, expressed unanimous support for Damagum. 

    Despite calls from some party members, including National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, for Damagum’s replacement over alleged poor leadership and recent electoral defeats in Edo and Ondo states, the state chairmen maintained there was no cause for concern. 

    Damagum, appearing confident and composed, described the meeting as a routine familiarization visit, contrary to the speculation of discord circulating on social media.

    The state chairmen echoed his sentiments, emphasizing their collective resolve to maintain unity ahead of the NEC meeting.

    Newly elected state chairmen of the PDP, along with incumbent chairmen from all thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory, convened with members of the PDP National Executive Council (NEC) led by Ambassador Damagum.

    Damagum emphasized that the state chairmen’s visit was primarily a familiarization tour, rather than the conflict and threats being circulated on social media.

    Damagum said: “My state chairmen are my commander in the States, this is not an unusual meeting, we’ve had this kind of meeting before; this is not the first time and for the records, I want to make it very clear that this meeting was to interact with the state chairmen.

    “You can see from the introduction, that more than half of the state chairmen here are brand new and it is for us to know ourselves and also discuss other matters such as the coming Zonal Congresses; it has nothing to do, like has been insinuated in the social media, about NEC or something of that nature and I had no prior meeting with any of the state chairmen before we met in this hall.

    “Issues of NEC are entirely within the purview of NWC and the chairman, so we are not calling the chairmen here to maybe insinuate anything; so, just for the records, it is a normal interactive session to welcome the new chairmen that have just joined us and also to know ourselves and to further discuss the on-going plans for Zonal Congresses,” Damagum stated.

    Read Also: PDP reconciliation panel to brief Damagum-led NWC Tuesday

    Speaking on behalf of his colleagues after the meeting on Wednesday evening, Chief Austin Nwachukwu, the Imo State PDP Chairman who is also the Interim Chairman of the PDP State Chairmen’s Forum told reporters that there is no tension, adding that they also found no need to declare a vote of confidence in Ambassador Damagum because all is well with the party’s leadership.

    Nwachukwu said: “The meeting is simply to familiarize ourselves with the National Working Committee; recall that a few months back, a lot of state congresses were held from wards, local government to the state and the NWC deemed it feet to gather all of us in Abuja to enable us know each other

    “We also discussed zonal congresses, the forms are out and those people who feel like contesting can go through their zonal offices to purchase the forms; we harped on unity among members of the party and across the board while nothing about the coming PDP NEC meeting or a vote of confidence was discussed.

    “We want to clear that erroneous impression that the fortunes of the party is diminishing each day, it is not; it is looking stronger into the new dispensation and what you may call a crisis in the party is just cosmetic,” Nwachukwu said, who blamed the PDP’s recent electoral losses on the tactics of the ruling party rather than allegations of poor leadership being attributed to Ambassador Umar Damagum.

  • Damagum asks security to go after factional chair, others

    Damagum asks security to go after factional chair, others

    • ‘Why we suspended two national officers’
    • Yayari fails to resume at national secretariat

    Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, yesterday called on security agencies to go after the National Treasurer, Yayari Mohammed, who is parading himself as factional chairman.

    The Acting Chairman also urged them to secure the party’s national secretariat in Abuja and enforce the rule of law.

    Damagun said Yayari and his supporters were trampling on the PDP constitution and judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which recognised him as the authentic acting chairman.

    He said: “In the face of this reckless violation of a subsisting court order, we are hereby left with no option but to deploy the services of security agencies in the enforcement of the rule of law.”

    Yayari, who claimed to have been endorsed by the PDP Governors’ Forum as factional acting chairman two days ago, failed to resume at the party office yesterday.

    Damagun, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, reaffirmed his status as the interim chairman, warning Yayari against the violation of a court order.

    Yayari on Sunday announced that he had assumed office as acting national chairman.

    He said he had begun preparation for the October 24 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party.

    He also called on the Northcentral zone to forward names of nominees for the national chairmanship seat.

    To douse tension in the party, the Governors’ Forum and Board of Trustees (BoT) called for calm, warning that the escalation of the crisis could spell doom.

    Damagum, who spoke through the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Manga, lamented that Yayari and his co-travellers adopted a ‘motor park approach’ by unleashing crisis on the party.

    In a speech titled: “For the sake of PDP, Caution,” he insisted that the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba,  and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade remained suspended, adding that they should utilise the period of suspension for genuine repentance.

    Alluding to the subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja that no organ of the party should tamper with his position as national chairman till December next year, Damagum said Yayari, Ologunagba and Ajibade risked committing contempt of the court.

    The leadership crisis in the main opposition party escalated at the weekend, following the suspension of Ologunagba and Ajibade by NWC.

    In a counter-move, the suspended party officers also announced the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwun.

    Damagum chided Mohammed and the suspended officers for vituperations against the corporate existence of PDP, saying that their actions are condemnable.

    He said efforts should be made to prevent the destruction of the party through avoidable conflicts.

    Recalling a statement by former United States President John Kennedy that “leadership and learning are indispensable to each other,” Damagum said party actions should not be guided by ‘sentiments and personal interest,’ but by the constitution and other extant guidelines.

    He explained that the decision to suspend the officers was taken at the 593rd NWC meeting held on October 10 at the party secretariat.

    Damagum explained that following their suspension, Manga and Okechukwu Osuoha, who were their deputies, started acting in their absence.

    Read Also: Court restrains PDP’s NEC, BoT from removing acting national chair Damagum 

    He said their suspension was to allow the four-man NWC Investigation Committee, led by Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the allegations of “abuse of office and insubordination” levelled against the duo.

    Other members of the Committee are: Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Kosheodo, National Treasurer, Yayari Ahmed, and National Auditor Daniel Obi Okechukwu.

    Frowning at the reactions of the suspended officers, the acting chairman said since the duo are lawyers, who had previously participated in the processes leading to the suspension of other officers, they should know better how to preserve the “sanctity of the party.”

    He queried: “Why kill our great party due to the collective decision of your colleagues against your actions instead of availing yourselves of the Investigation Committee’s window to be exonerated or otherwise?”

    The acting chairman insisted that the acting National Publicity Secretary and Acting National Adviser can act, based on the provisions of sections 40(2) and 42(2) of the PDP constitution.

    Damagum rejected what he described as the resort to “motor pack” approach to a mere suspension aimed at providing the suspended officers with the opportunity to clear themselves of the allegations against them.

    He said: “Although we have detailed knowledge of the drummers, the masqueraders should have been guided in their dance steps to avert stripping themselves naked on the stage.”

    He thanked the Chairman of the Board of Trustees  (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and other party leaders for their intervention in the crisis.

    Yayari has violated law, says Manga

    Manga told reporters that security agencies were on the trail of Yayari for violation of law.

    He said: “We are guided by law. There is a subsisting court order and any contempt of court order does not require any persuasion from us for its enforcement.

    “The law has provided for itself sufficient mechanism for ensuring that violators of orders are dealt with strictly in compliance with the law.

    “We are aware that the security agencies have been set to take action on that without our prompting and by the way, where is the purported chairman at the moment?

    “He has not shown his face, he has been in hiding and all the lies coming from the pit of hell have not been substantiated and we are going to nip it all in the bud.”

    Manga said PDP Governors have not endorsed Yayari as chairman, contrary to speculation in some quarters.

    He described him as an interloper who was acting in violation of the Constitution.

    Manga said: “Neither of the suspended duo nor the so-called appointed acting national chairman has come anywhere near the PDP national secretariat.

    “Our party remains firmly united behind Ambassador Damagum as provided by law.

    “To the best of our knowledge, all the 13 PDP governors are in support of the Damagum’s NWC.”