Governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are set to meet today to decide the fate of the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday.
This crucial gathering aims to address internal disagreements over the leadership of the party, particularly concerning the tenure of the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.
Recent developments suggest a growing movement to extend Damagum’s tenure beyond the scheduled NEC meeting, despite a prior consensus in Akure last week where party governors and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) agreed that Damagum should relinquish his post during the forthcoming gathering.
This agreement was initially seen as a step towards quelling ongoing discord within the party, sparked by its loss in the 2023 presidential election to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, according to sources close to the party who spoke with Daily Trust, there is now a concerted effort by certain factions within the PDP, led by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to postpone Damagum’s resignation.
The proposed plan would allow Damagum to step down voluntarily after the November 16 Ondo State governorship election, providing what supporters call a “soft landing” for the acting chairman.
This new strategy appears to be gaining momentum among Damagum’s loyalists, fueled by the North Central zone’s perceived delay in nominating a successor.
This situation has led to speculations that the NEC meeting might face another postponement or proceed under highly contentious circumstances, highlighting the ongoing struggles within the party to stabilize its leadership structure.