The Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees has raised questions about the continued tenure of Umar Damagum, the party’s acting National Chairman, and Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary.

There have been growing concerns among party members regarding the prolonged stay of Damagum and Anyanwu in their current roles.


Damagum, who previously served as the PDP National Deputy Chairman (North), took on the role of acting National Chairman following the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, by the court in the previous year’s March.

Anyanwu, who is also the PDP candidate for the Imo State 2023 governorship election, has caused a dilemma in the South zone over appointing a replacement. Despite this, he managed to retain his position as the party secretary after a contest with Governor Hope Uzodinnma.



Both the PDP’s National Working Committee and National Caucus recently expressed their full support for Damagum’s leadership of the NWC during meetings held on Wednesday and early Thursday.


Addressing the issue at the party Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, the PDP BoT Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, emphasized the importance of reflecting on the party’s current state and the necessary steps to move forward.

He asserted that amidst challenging times, Nigerians look to the party to lead the charge in rescuing the nation from the grip of the All Progressives Congress. He raised concerns about the prolonged tenure of the acting Chairman and the unresolved issue of the National Secretary’s office.


Wabara urged for urgent resolution of these matters in accordance with the party’s constitution, emphasizing transparency and fairness for the party’s best interests and unity.

He added that as the party approaches a new phase with upcoming changes in executive structures, there is an opportunity to rejuvenate and position the party strategically for the future.


Damagum, in response, assured ongoing consultations to rejuvenate the party’s position, especially with upcoming elections in Edo and Ondo states.

He expressed confidence in the party’s performance and prospects in the upcoming elections, highlighting the collective efforts that will lead to success in the polls.

Ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting scheduled for today, a member of the party and former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka has warned that any decision taken at the meeting could either make or mar the party.


In a statement he issued on Wednesday night, Chidoka told the PDP governors and the National Assembly Caucus that any attempt by the PDP NEC to undermine the party’s constitution, may lead to “disaster that could sink the ship of the party”.

Recall that the NEC meeting coming up later today would, among other things, address whether the current acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, should retain his position or be replaced.


Recall that Damagum, who was the PDP Deputy National Chairman, North, emerged as the acting National Chairman of the party following the indefinite suspension of Iyorchia Ayu, in March 2023 by a court in Benue State.

While some of the party’s stakeholders believe that a member from the North Central must be elected to complete Ayu’s tenure as stipulated in the party’s constitution, others have endorsed Damagum as the next substantive chairman.

But according to Chidoka, “if at the NEC meeting, the Party fails to uphold the constitutionality and respect for the rules of the party, then I and other progressive members will not hesitate to lead the pallbearers to the funeral of the party as we know it.


“The party must put an end to its submission to filthy lucre and macabre dancing to the music of unprincipled pipers.

“It must return to the role of providing good governance to its states and principled opposition that Nigerians can trust.

“If the party’s ship is not steered away from the gigantic iceberg prominent on its path, the consequences will be dire.


“It is a matter of grave urgency to save the soul of the party that ushered and stabilised democracy in Nigeria.

…Stop Wike’s Use Of PDP To Remain Relevant In Tinubu’s Govt, Secondus Tells Party Leaders

The National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has passed a vote of confidence on the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum.

This was made known in a press statement on Wednesday by Debo Ologunagba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary.

Ologunagba said the NWC passed the vote of confidence on Damagum at the end of its 584th meeting at the party’s National Secretariat on Tuesday.

According to him, the PDP leaders took the decision in commendation of the efforts and commitment by Damagum to stabilize and reposition the party as the main opposition in Nigeria.

Ologunagba also disclosed that the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, presided over the motion for Vote of Confidence on the Acting National Chairman, which was moved by the National Vice Chairman (South East) Chief Ali Odefa and seconded by the National Treasurer, Yayari Mohammed.

“The NWC assures of its commitment in ensuring the continued stability, growth and success of our great party at all time,” the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) head into the much-anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday, a former national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus has urged party leaders to stop the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike’s continuous use of PDP to remain relevant in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Secondus, in a statement by his media adviser, Ike Abonyi, told PDP leaders that Wike’s busybody gimmick should not distract them from proving that no individual is bigger than the party, adding that the FCT minister is already drowning politically.

The former PDP chairman stated this in an advisory to PDP leaders assembling for the party’s 98th NEC meeting on Thursday, urging them to do everything humanly possible and within the law to rescue and restore the party’s glory.

The former PDP chairman said the former Rivers State governor is trying hard to create a non-existent crisis in the party to make himself relevant before his boss, President Tinubu, who he said to be getting fed up with his nuisance of bringing politics into the governance of the FCT.

“By deviously trying to create the impression that he is in a tussle of supremacy with the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the party and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Wike who is copiously losing political relevance everywhere from Rivers to Abuja is trying to give the impression that he is a factor in PDP and holding it for his APC interest.

“The critical structures of this party, NEC, BOT, National Caucus, forum of Governors, Chairmen of states and National Assembly caucus of the party must rise to the challenge and isolate mischief makers and meddlers like Wike and move the party forward,” Secondus said.

He charged the party leaders not to fall for Wike’s trick by giving him undeserved relevance which he no longer possesses.

“I expect the founding fathers and other dedicated members to rise to the challenge and return this great party to its glory by ensuring, as they always do at critical moments, that nobody or group is greater or bigger than this party,” he said.