…Confirms Damagun, Anyanwu, others stay till November convention
By Caleb Ishaya, Abuja
National Executive Committee, NEC, of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, has confirmed Umar Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the party until its elective national convention scheduled for November this year.
The confirmation was one of the key resolutions reached during the ongoing 102nd NEC meeting held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Damagum, took the oath of office during the meeting, administered by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, in accordance with Article 65 of the PDP Constitution.
The decision came less than three months before the PDP’s national convention, slated to hold from Nov. 15 to Nov. 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In his acceptance speech, Damagum expressed gratitude to the party’s leadership for the confidence reposed in him and the National Working Committee, NWC.
“Before now, I thought all we were doing was not being appreciated.
“This gesture is not just for me, but for the entire NWC. I owe it to them.
“To have navigated this party this far, we came in at a time when things were very hard, but to the glory of God, we are still intact as one indivisible party”, he added.
Damagum had assumed the role of acting national chairman on March 28, 2023, following a Benue State High Court order that confirmed the removal of former Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.
At the time, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced Damagum’s appointment, citing Section 45 (2) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
Prior to his appointment, Damagum served as the PDP Deputy National Chairman (North).
AljazirahNigeria reports that the PDP NEC has also zoned the 2027 Presidential ticket to the South and also affirmed that all the national positions of the party should remain the same way they are. The chairman remains in the North and the Secretary remain in the South and any other positions remains the same way.
Meanwhile, the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party during the 102nd NEC Meeting didn’t sit well with some members of the party as Sen Olawepo-Hashim’s, a strong PDP member, speaking on the Channel TV Politics today” congratulated the NEC for affirming the NWC of the party and making peace across zones. Olawepo-Hashim said, the PDP has made a grave mistake by abandoning the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having closed its doors to the North against there constitutional rights to belong to any political party of their choice and as well, seek elective positions. That someone can challenge this decision in the court.
Sen Olawepo-Hashim’s said that he wasn’t angry as it was the decision of the NEC but the new NEC can still look at it again to make some corrections because the PDP family has played into President Tinubu’s hands because no Southern candidate can defeat Tinubu. Those clapping hands can’t play the game .
