Amid calls for resignation, PDP NWC passes vote of confidence in acting chair

The national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has passed a vote of confidence in Umar Damagum, acting national chair of the party. 

The vote of confidence was passed during a meeting presided by Taofeek Arapaja, deputy national chairman (south), on Tuesday.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, said the motion for a vote of confidence was moved by Ali Odefa, national vice chairman (south-east), and seconded by Yayari Mohammed, the national treasurer.

The NWC commended Damagum for his “efforts and commitment” to “stabilize and reposition the PDP as the main opposition party in Nigeria”.

The development comes amid calls for the resignation of the acting chair.

On April 8, some members of the PDP in the house of representatives asked Damagum to tender his resignation.

The lawmakers accused Damagum of allegedly “doctoring” the caretaker committee members’ lists in Rivers and 10 other states.

They also claimed that since the removal of Iyorchia Ayu as the national chair of the PDP, the party has only known “misfortune” and has “abdicated its responsibility” as the leading opposition platform in the country.

The lawmakers said Damagum should resign to allow a member from the north-central geopolitical zone to complete Ayu’s tenure.

“We currently have in the PDP a national leadership that is in bed with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and is working extremely hard to hand over the party to the APC,” the lawmakers said.

Ayu was suspended from office in March 2023, after the executive members of Igyorov ward, Gboko LGA of Benue, passed a vote of no confidence in him over alleged anti-party activities.

Since then, Damagum has been acting as the national chairman.

The national executive committee (NEC), the highest decision making organ of the PDP, is scheduled to meet on Thursday and may likely take a decision on the party’s chairmanship position.