JUST IN: PDP BoT Meeting Begins in Abuja to Address Ongoing Leadership Crisis

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues as its Board of Trustees (BoT) convenes in Abuja. The meeting, which is aimed at addressing ongoing leadership challenges, is being presided over by the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.

Among the prominent figures attending the meeting are the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; Senator Ben Obi; BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; Board Secretary, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu; and former Osun State Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The emergency gathering follows the removal of Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who previously held the position of National Chairman. Since Damagum’s assumption of the acting role, there have been increasing calls from within the party for his resignation.

The party’s leadership woes have been ongoing, with critical issues remaining unresolved from the 98th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on April 18, 2024. Among these issues is a call from the North-Central region for the election of a substantive national chairman to replace Damagum and finish Ayu’s term, in accordance with the party’s zoning arrangement.

The 99th NEC meeting, which was initially scheduled for August 15, 2024, was postponed to October 24, 2024, and later moved again to November 28, 2024. Ultimately, the meeting was postponed indefinitely, leaving the party’s leadership crisis unresolved for the time being.