The rivalry between the two major factions of the peoples’ democratic party (PDP) is taking on a new dimension this week as those loyal to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, battle with the wing of the party loyal to the current minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The tension is expected to hit a crescendo at the 98th national executive committee (NEC) meeting of the party.
One of the major issues expected to take centre stage at the NEC meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 18th, is the chairmanship of the party’s current acting leader, Umar Damagum.
Recall there have been repeated calls from different circles for the removal Damagum and for the party to elect another chairman, a position many have been jostling for, behind the scenes.
Damagum, formerly PDP national deputy chairman (north), became the party’s acting national chairman following the suspension of the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, by the court in March of last year.
The court action leading to Ayu’s suspension was filed by a member of the party, Terhide Utaan, who based his request on an earlier vote of no confidence passed on Ayu by the executives of his ward, Igyorov ward, Gboko local government area of Benue state.
Last week, 60 members of the house of representatives demanded Damagum’s exit, adding that a substantive chairman should be picked from the north central region.
Early reports suggest a former governor of Benue state, Gabriel Suswam, and a former deputy national secretary of the PDP, Emmanuel Agbo, have indicated interest in the position, should it be vacant.
