Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) have agreed to remove Iliya Umar Damagum from his position as acting national chairman.
Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed, who also serves as chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, disclosed this decision on Tuesday night after a meeting with the NWC.
Damagum is a close ally of Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister.
Damagum was appointed acting national chairman after the removal of Iyorchia Ayu in June 2023.
Speaking about the ongoing leadership crisis within the party, Governor Mohammed explained that it is a “constitutional aberration” for Damagum to continue in office.
He revealed that the North Central region should be allowed to complete the term of former chairman Ayu, who hails from Benue State.
“My brother from the North East is currently serving as Acting National Chairman, which is constitutionally inappropriate,” Mohammed said.
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“According to our party’s constitution, any leadership vacancy should be filled by someone from the region where it originated.”
He added: “North Central has been eager for this opportunity, and we’ve discussed this issue. We are committed to working with the NWC and the party to ensure that the North Central is given the chance to assume this responsibility.”
Governor Mohammed also pointed out that the North East had previously benefited from a similar arrangement when former Governor Ahmadu Muazu took over as PDP national chairman after the resignation of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
