The Peoples Democratic Party's Board of Trustees has raised concerns about the continued tenure of the party's acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
Many party members have recently expressed worries about Damagum and Anyanwu remaining in their roles.
Damagum, who previously served as the PDP National Deputy Chairman (North), took over as acting National Chairman after the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, was suspended by the court in March of the previous year.
The National Secretary has been chosen as the PDP candidate for the Imo State 2023 governorship election. The South zone has been struggling to select a replacement, but he, along with other party leaders, contested and retained the position of party secretary after losing to Governor Hope Uzodinnma.
The PDP’s National Working Committee and National Caucus both expressed full support for Damagum’s leadership of the NWC on Wednesday and early Thursday morning.
During a forum meeting at the party Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, the PDP BoT Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, said the party is deeply concerned about the issue at hand.
He mentioned that the gathering provides them with a valuable opportunity to think about the state of the party, the challenges they are facing, and the necessary steps to move the party forward.
He stated that “Nigerians are currently facing a difficult time and they are hoping for the Party to organize itself and lead the effort to rescue our nation from the control of the All Progressives Congress.
“There is an issue with the party's leadership that is weighing heavily on our collective conscience.
The current acting Chairman has been in office for over a year, which is longer than the usual practice of the party. The region from which the national officer hails should have produced a suitable candidate to complete the former national officer's tenure.
“Moreover, the controversial matter regarding the office of the National Secretary has unfortunately caused division within our party. The uncertainty around this position has led to confusion and internal conflict, hindering our joint efforts to pursue our goals.”
The former Senate President noted that the solutions to these two issues are outlined in the party's constitution, but deliberate legal disputes have made it impossible to apply these constitutional solutions.
He added “It is our responsibility to resolve this matter urgently, guided by transparency, fairness, and the best interests of our party and its members.
“As we approach a new era, with the upcoming expiration of the Ward and LGA executive structures of our party across several states, we have a crucial opportunity to revitalize and reposition our party for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
The acting leader of the PDP said again that they are currently talking to people to change and improve the party.
We have been very active and hard-working despite the difficulties. There are two elections coming up in Edo and Ondo. We believe that after the primary election in Ondo, we have a good chance of winning that election. We have done very well and we are confident that we will win that election with our combined effort,
