Governor Adeleke Backs Decision To Remove Wike’s Loyalist, Damagum As PDP Acting National Chairman
The PDP governors earlier this week said they had resolved to replace Damagum with someone from North Central as the party’s acting National Chairman.
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has expressly declared his support for the decision made by the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum to remove IIiya Umar Damagum as the party’s acting national chairman.
The PDP governors earlier this week said they had resolved to replace Damagum with someone from North Central as the party’s acting National Chairman.
This was announced on Tuesday by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, hinting that the next chairman of the party will be from the North Central region of the country.
This decision automatically disqualifies Damagum who is from Yobe State, northeastern region.
Damagum is a loyalist of the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
He started having issues with the party’s stakeholders and governors when he handed over the party’s structure in Rivers State to Wike.
Some stakeholders in the party including Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde had declared their support for Damagum to continue leading the party.
However, Adeleke of Osun State in a statement he shared on Friday morning on his X account, said he is aligning himself with the party’s leadership to remove Damagum.
The governor wrote: “Yesterday, I clarified my position on the ongoing leadership crisis affecting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I reaffirmed my commitment to the Constitution of our great party, which clearly outlines the succession procedure in the event of the exit of an elected chairman.
“I also fully support the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum, of which I am an integral part.
“At this critical time, our party must adhere to its Constitution, as it must at all times. This is the only way to build a responsible and enduring political party.”
However, the position of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State is that Damagum should not be removed.
He wrote: “@GovernorAUF Solidly in support of Amb. Umar Damagum as National Chairman of @OfficialPDPNig! His leadership has restored public confidence, and we are confident he will steer the party to greater heights. Let’s respect the court ruling and uphold our democracy.”
