Damagum to Step Down, Fubara to Reclaim Rivers Party Structure – PDP Governors’ Forum

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has assured that the ongoing leadership issues within the party will be resolved in line with constitutional provisions. He specifically addressed the situation concerning the party’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, and the leadership structure in Rivers State, expressing confidence that these anomalies will soon be corrected.

Speaking after a high-level meeting with a delegation from the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), led by the National Legal Adviser, Barrister Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Mohammed reassured party members that Damagum, who is currently serving as acting national chairman, will step down in favor of a permanent replacement from the North Central region, in accordance with the PDP constitution.

“Right now, our brother from the Northeast is acting as chairman, and it is a constitutional aberration. According to our constitution, any vacancy that exists must be filled from where that vacancy is created,” Mohammed explained. He went on to highlight that since the vacancy for the chairmanship was created in the North Central, the region should be given the opportunity to fill the position. “We are working closely with the Acting National Chairman and the NWC to ensure this happens,” he assured.

The Bauchi Governor also addressed the leadership situation in Rivers State, confirming that Governor Siminalayi Fubara would soon assume control of the PDP structure in the state. Mohammed reiterated the PDP’s longstanding practice, which recognizes the sitting governor in any PDP-led state as the leader of the party structure within that state.

“In Rivers State, we have an established practice where any governor coming from the party is recognized as the leader of the party and has control of the party structure for sustainability,” Mohammed noted, expressing confidence that Governor Fubara would soon reclaim the party leadership in Rivers, a move seen as critical to stabilizing the party’s influence in the state.

The meeting, described by Mohammed as “very fruitful,” covered a range of issues, including legal disputes within the party and ongoing efforts to promote reconciliation and unity. He praised the NWC’s commitment to resolving lingering legal challenges through dialogue and consensus. “We discussed extensively on the need for collaboration between the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the PDP Governors’ Forum, and the NWC, so that issues that result in litigation can be resolved at the table,” he said.

Mohammed called for the PDP’s reconciliation and disciplinary committees to work diligently to ensure that internal disputes are resolved amicably, warning against any actions that could lead to political instability. “The committees on reconciliation and discipline should work in a manner that will achieve consensus and avoid any political imbroglio,” he stressed.

In his closing remarks, Mohammed expressed optimism about the future of the PDP, particularly as the party gears up for the 2027 general elections. He emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration across all levels of the party to ensure its success in the next election cycle.

“We need a well-coordinated structure between all organs of the party, including the NWC and the Governors’ Forum, to ensure we are all speaking with one voice. In 2027, Inshallah, Nigerians will have the hope of having the PDP back and good governance restored in the country,” he concluded.