The leadership crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is deepening, as top officials appear divided over whether to remove the party’s Acting National Chairman, Illiya Damagum.
On Tuesday, members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) met with Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who indicated that Damagum’s position had become untenable and that the Northcentral zone should fill the leadership vacancy.
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This followed the party’s practice after the resignation of Bamanga Tukur, when another leader from the Northeast, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, took over as PDP National Chairman.
The NWC delegation, led by National Legal Adviser Kamaluddeen Adeyemi, included National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Vice Chairman Emmanuel Bovao.
Their discussions with Mohammed revolved around the constitutional appropriateness of Damagum’s continued stay in office and the need for the Northcentral zone to assume the chairmanship.
Meanwhile, another faction of the NWC, led by Damagum, met with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan, where Makinde expressed strong support for the acting chairman.
He affirmed that he was “100 per cent” behind Damagum and the NWC’s efforts to reposition the PDP, emphasizing the need to focus on unity and the upcoming governorship election in Edo State.
Makinde dismissed speculation that he did not support the party’s candidate in Edo, Asue Ighodalo, asserting his full backing for Ighodalo’s bid.
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Governor Bala Mohammed also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately planting moles within the PDP, particularly in Rivers State, to fuel internal divisions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Mohammed expressed confidence that the party would overcome its challenges and restore unity.
The PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) is working to mediate in the internal conflicts, with Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara praising Governor Mohammed’s efforts and committing the BoT’s support in resolving the issues.
The BoT has also indicated plans to meet with the two factions in Rivers to address the ongoing leadership dispute.
