PDP Crisis: Makinde Declares Support for Acting Chairman Damagum, Reveals Gov Adeleke’s Position

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared his support for the acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Ilya Damagum.

He said that both he and the governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, are fully behind Damagum and his leadership team.

Makinde made the declaration on Wednesday when he performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the upgrading of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Alakia, Ibadan to international standard.

He said, “I am also glad that our Acting National Chairman and members of his National Working Committee are here. I was reading yesterday that there was another meeting in Bauchi. Let me say clearly that we are 100 per cent in support of the Damagun-led NWC. Whatever decision you take, we will support you to reposition our party.

“Let me also say this; even if we have issues within ourselves, we have an important election on Saturday. So, we should just rally round and deliver our candidate to give real hope to our people.”

The development comes amid ongoing tensions and disagreements within the PDP.

Notedly, some party members, including PDP governors, are pushing for the removal of Damagum from his position as acting chairman.

The governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, recently revealed the position of the party Governors after a meeting with the NWC on Tuesday night.

He said the leadership crisis in the party needs to be resolved, and the North Central region should be allowed to complete the term of former PDP chairman Iyorchia Ayu, who is from Benue State.

Ayu was removed from his position in June 2023, and Damagum was appointed as the acting chairman following his departure.

Governor Bala Mohammed also pointed out that Damagum’s continuation in office was a “constitutional issue” that needed to be addressed.

Damagum’s connection to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been an issue for a section within the party.