Details of how PDP Leadership Crisis Intensifies as Governors Clash Over Chairmanship
The leadership turmoil within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened yesterday, with a growing rift among the party’s governors regarding the future of acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.
Governors Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Seyi Makinde of Oyo are diverging from Senator Bala Mohammed, chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. Mohammed previously suggested that the national chairmanship should revert to the North-Central region, labeling the current arrangement in the North-East as unconstitutional—a viewpoint now echoed by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“My colleague from the North-East is acting as national chairman, which contradicts our Constitution. Vacancies should be filled from the original region,” Mohammed stated on Tuesday. He emphasized the North-Central’s expectations for the chairmanship and indicated ongoing discussions to facilitate this transition.
In stark contrast, Governor Fintiri expressed unwavering support for Damagum, asserting that the North-East is united behind his leadership. He cited a recent Federal High Court ruling that prevents any changes in the chairmanship without Damagum’s consent, urging respect for the court’s decision to uphold party integrity.
Fintiri praised Damagum’s efforts to restore public trust in the PDP following the party’s loss in the 2023 presidential elections, insisting that the North-East, which includes several states that delivered strong results for the party, deserves the chairmanship.
Governor Makinde also voiced his support for Damagum during a recent event, emphasizing the importance of unity as the party prepares for upcoming elections, despite internal conflicts being inevitable.
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke aligned with Bala Mohammed’s stance, reiterating the importance of adhering to the PDP Constitution regarding leadership vacancies. He expressed his commitment to the resolutions of the governors’ forum, advocating for a return to constitutional processes to enhance internal democracy.
Damagum, in a prior interview, contended that the PDP Constitution allows flexibility in leadership and does not mandate that the chairmanship be limited to the North-Central region.
As the October 24 meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) approaches, the internal divisions appear to be deepening. Some perceive Damagum’s leadership as sympathetic to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whose tensions with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara have further complicated dynamics within the party.
In a related development, the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) convened with the National Assembly caucus in Abuja to address the ongoing leadership crisis. Key leaders, including BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, attended the closed-door meeting, which aimed to resolve various issues, including the fallout from Wike’s defeat in the 2023 presidential primary.
As preparations for the rescheduled NEC meeting continue, many within the party view this as a critical moment for the PDP’s future stability and leadership direction.
