PDP Governors to meet ahead of NEC meeting to decide Damgum’s future

Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will gather on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State, to deliberate on the future of acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum ahead of the party’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for November 28.

The meeting, organized by Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, is expected to address ongoing leadership challenges within the party.

The governors are reportedly split into two factions. One faction, led by Governor Bala Mohammed, seeks a change in leadership, while the other, led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and aligned with former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, advocates for Damagum to remain in office until December 2025.

Meanwhile, the North Central zone, previously represented by former National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu, has yet to agree on a successor.

While Senator David Mark’s name has been floated as a potential candidate, health concerns may disqualify him.

Despite these divisions, Damagum appears to have the support of 29 out of 37 state chairmen, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chairman, which may play a significant role in shaping the outcome of the NEC meeting.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) on Wednesday, Interim Chairman of the PDP Chairmen’s Forum and Imo State PDP Chairman, Austin Nwachukwu, described the gathering as an opportunity to foster unity within the party.

He explained, “The meeting is simply to familiarise ourselves with the National Working Committee. Recall that, a few months ago, many state congresses were held at the ward, local government, and state levels. The NWC thought it necessary to bring us together in Abuja to build stronger connections and ensure smooth collaboration.”