Ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party 99 National Executive Committee meeting slated for November 28, there are indications that Umar Damagum has perfected plans to remain as the acting National Chairman of the party till next year.
On Tuesday, the Damagum-led National Working Committee is scheduled to meet with the 36 PDP state chairmen and the FCT chairman at the party’s headquarters, Wadata Plaza, in Abuja, on Wednesday (today).
A senior figure in the PDP leadership, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, informed our correspondent that most of the chairmen have arrived in Abuja on Tuesday, suggesting that the meeting could be related to the upcoming NEC.
Since assuming the position of acting national chairman following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s removal by the court, Damagum has faced growing criticism from party leaders amid the ongoing PDP crisis, with increasing calls for his resignation.
His alleged lack of decisiveness was blamed for the worsening political crisis in Rivers State between Governor Siminalaye Fubara and his predecessor, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
During the 98th NEC meeting held on April 18, the party leaders agreed to decide Damagum’s future at the 99th NEC meeting.
The 99th NEC meeting, originally set for August 15, was first postponed to October 24, and later rescheduled to November 28, 2024.
The source indicated that recent developments within the party and the actions of key stakeholders point to Damagum continuing in his role until further notice.
He stated, “The NEC meeting will proceed as planned, but Damagum will continue as the party’s acting national chairman until further notice. This is because many members and key stakeholders are now less focused on replacing him for a term shorter than 10 months when they could instead have a permanent chairman who would serve a full 4-year term.