PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum
North Central Zone backs Damagun as court clears way for PDP convention
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is grappling with a deepening internal crisis as key factions clash over the leadership of the party, following a controversial court judgment and the purported removal of the National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagun.
The North Central Zone of the party has publicly distanced itself from what it describes as the illegitimate impeachment of Damagun by “a mere four members” of the National Working Committee (NWC).
In a communique issued after a press briefing in Abuja, the zone also disowned the newly emerged Acting National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahaman Mohammed, who is associated with the faction of Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
The group’s spokesperson, Hon. Francis O. Orogu, who is also the PDP North Central Secretary, labeled the crisis “another avoidable political crisis” triggered by a recent Federal High Court judgment.
The communique warned party members against “falling for the antics” of “selfish politicians” who are “hell-bent on destroying the party” ahead of its forthcoming national convention.
“We therefore totally dissociate ourselves and the entire zone from this disgraceful development,” the communique stated, calling the act “laughable” and “insulting.” The group also made an unusual appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to direct security agencies not to aid “any type of criminal coup, be it military or political.”
In a statement, the zone condemned the incident, which included the destruction of equipment, harassment of journalists, and the purported suspension of Chairman Damagun and other leaders.
They described the actions as a “reckless display of political lawlessness” and a “direct assault on the soul of the PDP.”
They reaffirmed its “total allegiance” to Amb. Umar Damagun as the legitimate National Chairman and vowed to remain “resolute, united, and steadfast” in defending the party.
Amid the leadership tussle, the Oyo State High Court, presided over by Justice A. L. Akintola, has cleared the PDP to proceed with its Elective National Convention scheduled for Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025. The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the convention and directed the party not to truncate the process.
As the crisis unfolds, a meeting of the Senator Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) is scheduled for Wednesday, where crucial decisions on the state of the party are expected to be taken.
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