PDP NEC Meeting: Wike Rallies Behind Damagum Amid Leadership Tensions and Suswam’s Endorsement

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is set to hold its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2024, amidst internal leadership tensions and the endorsement of Senator Gabriel Suswam by North Central PDP stakeholders for the position of national chairman.

As the meeting approaches, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is reportedly pulling all stops to help the National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, retain his office.

The party’s leadership is divided on whether Damagum should continue or be replaced, with some governors supporting the idea that someone from the North Central zone should replace him, since the suspended national chairman, Iyiorcha Ayu, is from the zone.

However, a larger faction of governors, allegedly influenced by Wike, is said to support the elongation of Damagum’s reign.

In a bid to maintain control over the party, some leaders in the North Central zone have endorsed a former governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, for the position of national chairman of the PDP.

This endorsement comes as a response to the suspension of Ayu and the desire for the North Central zone to complete its tenure.

Despite the challenges the party faces, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, Dr. Adolphus Wabara, has expressed confidence that the party will not implode or explode, but rather regain power come 2027.

He believes that the PDP is richly blessed with many mature minds capable of resolving any crisis.

The upcoming NEC meeting is expected to address the issue of whether Damagum will continue in office or be replaced.

There are speculations that the anti-Damagum camp faces a deadlock, with some governors now aligning with Wike in support of Damagum.

The meeting also comes at a time when the PDP caucus in the House of Representatives failed to close ranks, ending in a deadlock on Tuesday.

The outcome of the NEC meeting will be crucial in determining the future direction of the party, as it seeks to resolve internal leadership disputes and prepare for the upcoming elections.

As the PDP faces internal leadership tensions, the endorsement of Suswam by North Central PDP stakeholders adds another layer of complexity to the party’s leadership dynamics.

The outcome of the NEC meeting will be closely watched by party members and observers alike, as the PDP navigates its way through a period of uncertainty and change.