THE power play among stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continued at the weekend as loyalists of the acting national Chairman, Ambassador IliyaDamagum unfolded plots to replace tenured members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) who are believed to be opposed to the continuation of Damagum in office.
This follows the release of the Board of Trustees (BoT) position last week, which called on stakeholders of the party from the North Central to immediately produce a replacement for the removed Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, who would take over from Damagum.
It was, however, gathered that the pro-Damagum forces within the party were irked by BoT’s advice and have flagged off a series of attacks on members of the apex advisory body in the party.
It was gathered that the chairman of the BoT, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, has also come under intense pressure from top party members, who considered the trustees’ position offensive to the plot to retain Damagum in the office.
A source in the know said that members of the BoT have come under pressure since releasing their stance last week, calling for the replacement of the acting national chairman, Damagum.
Sources said that the battle for the soul of the PDP is now clearly divided among the pro- and anti-Damagum forces, with some seeking the retention of Damagum at least till the end of 2025, while others are insisting on adherence to the letters of the party’s constitution.
The BoT, a critical organ of the party, has been a vocal opponent of Damagun’s prolonged tenure in an acting capacity, favouring instead the emergence of a substantive party chairman from the North-Central zone.
Recent developments suggest that Damagum’s camp is working to replace members of the BoT whose tenures are nearing expiration with individuals loyal to him, a move perceived as an effort to consolidate his hold on the party’s leadership.
The BoT comprises permanent and tenured members, including all past and serving presidents, vice presidents, national chairmen, deputy national chairmen, and national secretaries of the PDP.
It also includes past and serving Senate Presidents, Deputy Senate Presidents, Speakers, and Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives, as well as founding members of the party.
In addition, 67 members are appointed to the BoT under specific criteria for renewable three-year terms.
These positions are allocated based on nominations by zonal and state caucuses, as stipulated in Section 33(1)(f&g) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
The constitution mandates that five members from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones—at least two of whom must be women—are nominated by the Zonal Caucus. Furthermore, one individual from each state and the Federal Capital Territory, recognised for their significant contributions to the party, is nominated by the State Caucus.
Sources confirmed that as the situation unfolds, the fate of the 67 tenured BoT members remains uncertain, with the acting chairman’s camp and the current BoT leadership poised for a showdown.
The developments underscore the deep-seated challenges facing the PDP in navigating its internal politics.
Allegations have emerged that the acting chairman is manoeuvring to transition from an interim role to the substantive national chairman, a prospect that has deepened divisions within the party.
To achieve this, sources suggest Damagum’s camp is targeting the replacement of tenured BoT members who might oppose his plans.
This has created anxiety among the 67 of them, many of whom are uncertain about their prospects for reappointment.
The South-West Zonal caucus recently called for a meeting whose agenda included the selection of new nominees for the BoT.
When approached for comments, PDP National Publicity Secretary, DeboOlogunagba, stated that he had no information on the purported plans.
He, however, clarified that the nomination of tenured BoT members falls under the purview of the states and zones.
However, it was gathered that some leaders of the party who are in support of the BoT’s position have continued to mount pressure on the former President of the Senate, David Mark to get ready to take the top job in the party.
It was gathered that the BoT’s position tallies with the thinking among some top PDP leaders, who were hopeful of bringing in David Mark as the new chairman.
Though, Mark was said to be reluctant to take over the position, it was learnt that stakeholders have insisted that he remained best placed to steer the ship of the party in the right direction as things stand.
Last week, the BoT called on stakeholders from the North-Central to urgently nominate a new national chairman to replace Senator Ayu.
Reading the communique from the meeting it held at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja. Senator Wabara outlined the deep concerns of the party’s leadership over ongoing internal discord and the delayed resolution of key organizational issues.
The BoT expressed “deep worry” over the state of the PDP, particularly regarding the administration and decision-making processes of the National Working Committee (NWC). It urged the NWC to immediately take steps to restore internal harmony, unity, and public confidence by adhering strictly to the PDP Constitution, including zoning NWC offices to the country’s geopolitical zones.
“We demand that the NWC respect the constitution and principles of the party, which have been the bedrock of our success in the past,” the BoT statement read.
The BoT also decried the repeated postponement of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, describing it as a betrayal of trust among party members.
The committee insisted that the NEC meeting, now scheduled for February 2025, must not be delayed further, warning that any additional postponement could “exacerbate existing challenges and spell doom for our party.”
“The NWC must show leadership by convening this critical meeting as planned. It is not only a matter of fulfilling a promise but also a necessary step to resolve pressing issues and chart a clear path forward for the PDP,” the BoT stressed.
A major highlight of the BoT’s resolutions was its directive to North-Central stakeholders to convene immediately and nominate a replacement for former National Chairman Senator IyorchiaAyu.
Though Damagum, the National Deputy Chairman (North) has been acting as the national chairman, Ayu’s removal has left a leadership vacuum that has further deepened divisions within the party.
The party constitution prescribes that where a vacancy exists in the office of a national officer, someone from the zone should replace the officer. Whereas Ayu is from the North Central, Damagum is from the North-East.
The present power struggle comes at a critical time for the PDP, as the party seeks to rebuild its structures and reposition itself as Nigeria’s leading opposition force.
The BoT emphasised that unity among the party’s organs and adherence to democratic principles were non-negotiable.
“Our strength lies in collective resolve, not in individual pursuits,” the communique stated, urging leaders to set aside personal ambitions for the greater good.
As the PDP faces mounting challenges both internally and externally, the BoT reaffirmed its commitment to reconciliation and harmony within the party.
“The search for true unity must take precedence over personal differences. We cannot let ambition or division overshadow our vision for a better Nigeria,” the communique concluded.
Declaring the meeting open earlier, Senator Wabara expressed profound regret over the NWC’s failure to convene a NEC meeting as previously scheduled.
He underscored the necessity of this meeting for resolving internal party issues and planning for future electoral engagements.
Wabara’s address painted a picture of a party at a crossroads, needing to reaffirm its commitment to democratic principles and internal cohesion.
“It is with a deep sense of disappointment that I must express the Board’s dismay at the continued shifting by the NWC in convening a NEC meeting,” he stated, highlighting the critical role of the NEC as a platform for decision-making and unity within the party.
The BoT chairman criticised the delay not only as a breach of trust but also as a potential catalyst for discord within the PDP.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to the party’s constitution and the timelines set for such meetings.
“We expect that the NWC would honour its word and convene the NEC meeting as scheduled,” Wabara remarked, urging the NWC to demonstrate leadership by ensuring that the next meeting, planned for February next year, goes ahead without further postponements.
