Indications have emerged to suggest that the next few days are expected to be turbulent times for the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), as major gladiators within the it are jostling for the soul of the former ruling party.
Findings have revealed that the leadership as well as the ranks of the Party is sharply divided into two broad camps ahead of the scheduled meetings of the major organs with regards to the fate of the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Illya Damagum, to continue in office.
Recall that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Party had at an emergency meeting on March 28, last year while acting on an Order of a Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023, appointed Damagum to step-in as the Acting National Chairman, when the court upheld the suspension of Ayu by his ward Executive over allegation of engaging in anti-Party activities.
Though the Constitution of the Party does not specify the duration with which a member can serve as Acting Chairman, Damagums continued stay is however generating tension, with some stakeholders urging the relevant organs within the Party determine his fate.
While the National Caucus of the party is scheduled to meet in Abuja on Wednesday, the Partys National Working Committee (NWC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) will take their respective turns by meeting the following day.
According to findings during the week, the two contending camps are led by a former Presidential candidate of the Party, Atiku Abubakar and supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.
A party chieftain, who pleaded not to be named said, We are heading for a serious sessions as the major organs of our party are scheduled to meet during the week, saying: “so far, the situation has not boiled over, and we hope that things would be resolved by the National Caucus before the national convention.
Another source stated that while the former Vice-President has been able to rally the support of most members of the National Assembly, Wike, on the other hand, is being backed by governors elected on the platform of the party. The source stated that Atiku is rooting for the emergence of former Benue State governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, while Wike and his supporters are canvassing for the continued stay of Damagum in office.
According to the zoning formula put forward by the Party, the office of the National Chairman has been zoned to the North Central where the former holder, Senator Iyorchia Ayu hails from. Damagum became the acting chairman based on the suspension of Ayu by a court.
When contacted, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, dismissed the suggestion that the Party is polarised ahead of the meetings, saying rather, the PDP is even more united than it used to be.
He, however, said: We are holding a series of meetings preparatory to our scheduled NWC, BoT and National Caucus meetings, and we are not distracted by whatever is being reported.
