Ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has passed a Vote of Confidence in the Party’s Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum.
According to Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the party, the decision of the NWC which came at the end of its 584th meeting at the Party’s National Secretariat on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, “is in commendation of the efforts and commitment of the Acting National Chairman to stabilize and reposition the PDP as the main opposition Party in Nigeria.”
The NWC also assured of its commitment in ensuring the continued stability, growth and success of our great Party at all time.
According to him, the move was also “in commendation of the efforts and commitment of the Acting National Chairman to stabilize and reposition the PDP as the main opposition Party in Nigeria.”
Ologunagba said: “The Deputy National Chairman (South) Amb. 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, Hon. Yayari Mohammed.”
The PDP is currently facing one of its toughest battles since the 2023 election as some stakeholders are calling for leadership change and suspension of Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), over alleged anti-party activities.
Damagum has been in the eye of the storm since he became the acting Chairman, with the North Central geopolitical zone where Dr Iyorchia Ayu, suspended National Chairman hails from, insisting on completing his tenure.
However, Daily Trust gathered that those loyal to Wike in the PDP are working to retain Damagum as Chairman to complete the tenure of Ayu.
Efforts to pass a vote of confidence on Damagum by the minority lawmakers of the House of Representatives was thwarted by the coalition of opposition lawmakers led by Ikenga Ugochinyere, on Tuesday.
So the vote of confidence by the NWC might not be unconnected with move by some interests in the party to make sure Damagum is confirmed as Chairman.