Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reportedly reached a consensus to appoint a new national chairman from the North-Central region, sidelining the current acting chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum.
This decision is part of the party’s ongoing efforts to resolve internal tensions and stabilize ahead of its upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for October 24, 2024.
Among the leading contenders for the chairmanship role are former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum. Party insiders suggest that the governors are leaning towards a neutral candidate, one who is not tied to any of the party’s internal factions, in an effort to unite the party ahead of future political battles.
This move follows growing calls from ex-officio NEC members for the party to convene the NEC meeting, allowing aggrieved members to voice their concerns and help restore stability within the PDP.
In a statement, PDP ex-officio members expressed their disappointment with the current state of the party, warning that recent developments could undermine its foundations.
“We have viewed with utter dismay and concern the dangerous turn of events within the top echelon of our party in recent times. These events have the tendency to shake the very foundation of our party,” the statement read.
The members emphasized that the core mission of the PDP, set by its founding fathers, remains unchanged—focused on democratic principles and good governance for Nigerians. They called for the October NEC meeting to go ahead, providing a platform for grievances to be aired and resolved.
“Our Party’s Constitution clearly states that the NEC must meet at least once every quarter. Unfortunately, the party has not adhered to these constitutional provisions, leading to many unresolved issues,” the statement continued.
With the NEC meeting just weeks away, all eyes are on the PDP to see if this leadership change will mark a turning point in the party’s efforts to regain unity and restore its influence on the national stage.
