By Divine Sam
The ongoing leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been exacerbated by the repeated postponements of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings. The latest delay, announced on November 25, 2024, was attributed to the funeral of the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Patience Umo Eno. The postponements have sparked dissatisfaction among party members, with some alleging that they are being used to prolong the tenure of acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, who is facing opposition from various factions within the party.
The conflict centers around the removal of Damagum, with key figures divided along political lines. Some party governors, especially those aligned with Nyesom Wike, are reportedly backing Damagum, while others, particularly from the camp of Atiku Abubakar, are pushing for his ouster. There are also concerns that the continuous postponements are undermining the party’s constitutional order, with critics suggesting that Damagum’s continued leadership could weaken the party’s chances of success in future elections.
Meanwhile, party stakeholders are accusing the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) of not addressing the party’s internal issues, with some alleging secret meetings with the ruling APC, a claim that has raised fears of the PDP being covertly handed over to the ruling party. Amidst this, PDP governors have urged the NWC to hold a NEC meeting by February 2025 to resolve the leadership crisis and address critical challenges facing the party.