PDP appoints Iliya Damagum as acting national chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national working committee (NWC) has named Iliya Umar Damagum as the acting national chairman.

Until his appointment, Damagum was the PDP national deputy chairman (north).

Debo Ologunagba, the PDP spokesperson, made the announcement on Tuesday at a press conference in Abuja.

The appointment follows a high court order restraining Ayu from parading himself as the party’s national chairman.

He said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the NWC, adding that the appointment is with immediate effect.

“After a careful consideration of the court order and in line with section 45 (2) of the constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), the NWC resolved that the deputy national chairman (north), his excellency, Ambassador Umar Ililya Damagum assumes the national chairmanship of our party in acting capacity,” he said.

“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of our great party to remain calm and united at this critical time.“

The calls for Ayu’s sack have been a recurring decimal since the presidential primary election of the PDP last year.

TheCable reported in August 2022 that the G5 governors made the demand when Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the PDP, met with them in an attempt to resolve the rift between him and Nyesom Wike, the Rivers governor.

The opposition party’s leadership crisis remained unresolved before and while the 2023 elections lasted.

On Sunday, the PDP in Benue state suspended Ayu over alleged anti-party activities.

The suspension letter was dated March 24 and was signed by 12 executive members of Igyorov ward, Gboko LGA of Benue.

The executive members claimed that Ayu worked against the success of the party in the ward during the elections.

A day later, a high court in Benue granted an interim order restraining him from functioning as the party’s leader.