As internal tensions persist within Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rival factions aligned with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike escalate their power struggle, with a crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting set for November 28.
At a recent Port Harcourt gathering with supporters, Wike vowed to remain a thorn in the side of Atiku, Obi, and some PDP governors who are against him and President Bola Tinubu.
Wike’s camp has been convening meetings in Abuja and Port Harcourt to sustain influence over Ambassador Umar Damagum, acting PDP National Chairman, and solidify recent legal wins. The NEC meeting’s delay until November extends Damagum’s tenure, a development Wike’s supporters see as beneficial.
Atiku’s faction has faced challenges since Dr. Iyorchia Ayu’s resignation as National Chairman. The search for a North Central replacement has been delayed, and a court order preventing NEC and PDP Board of Trustees from removing Damagum has added to their woes.
“In reaction to the court order, Atiku’s supporters are mobilizing a team of attorneys, including two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, to dispute the ruling. A NEC member, requesting anonymity, remarked, “We will be appealing this decision, as our 98th NEC meeting in April had mandated the National Working Committee to undertake necessary congresses and make preparations for Ayu’s replacement, but Damagum’s failure to convene NEC has hindered this process, and he is now exploiting the court order to retain power.”
According to the insider, “Damagum is still serving as Deputy National Chairman (North), yet he is acting contrary to party interests by impeding the transition. Nonetheless, this fleeting advantage will not persist; we plan to challenge this judicial decision.”
The NEC meeting’s postponement, while seemingly favorable to Damagum, allows the party to focus on the Ondo State governorship election without distractions, and also provides an opportunity to appeal the court order before the NEC convenes.
The North Central leaders in Nigeria are adamant about securing the party chairmanship, with Kola Ologbondiyan, former PDP National Publicity Secretary, reiterating the region’s resolve to implement Section 47 (6) of the PDP constitution, which requires a North Central replacement to complete Ayu’s tenure.
Ologbondiyan stated, “Our party’s endurance as a strong institution stems from its foundation on the rule of law. The North Central is committed to fairly applying party rules and insists Ayu complete his term.”
Former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and businessman Conrad Utaan are among the contenders for the chairmanship, with Utaan pushing for innovative leadership to break the PDP’s established elite grip on power.
PDP’s Future Uncertain
With the November NEC meeting looming, rival camps within the party, led by Wike and Atiku, are engaged in intense positioning to secure influence within the PDP’s power structure, with ongoing legal and political tactics set to define the party’s course into the next general elections.
The next few weeks will be marked by fervent deliberations and courtroom battles as opposing PDP factions position themselves for a showdown, each aiming to direct the party’s course in line with their own aspirations.
