By Abiola Olawale
Indications emerging early Thursday suggest that the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Illiya Damagum, may have come out on top of the struggles for his eviction from office as the National Caucus of the party has thrown its weight behind him.
The National Caucus Meeting which was held in Abuja in the late hours of Wednesday was attended by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike and the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The meeting came ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting holding this Thursday. The New Diplomat gathered that the meeting which was held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro was also attended by key figures such as former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, and his Sokoto South counterpart Senator Aminu Tambuwal.
Also in attendance were prominent PDP stalwarts, including Ahmed Makarfi, Babangida Aliyu, Jonah Jang, and Sule Lamido.
Meanwhile, during the meeting, the PDP caucus resolved that he should be allowed to continue in office in the meantime.
The PDP national publicity secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, who read the outcome of the meeting, confirmed the development.
He also said this Thursday’s NEC meeting would have nothing to do with leadership change until the next national convention of the party.
Ologunagba said the decision of the caucus was aimed at ensuring reconciliation and unity in the party.
He added that the caucus directed the party management to set up a discipline and reconciliation committee to reconcile all members.
He said: “NEC meeting will not discuss any change in leaders. Rather, attention is focused on unity and reconciliation.
“Caucus agreed that all congresses in the states and local government should be concluded between June and August this year.
“Caucus agreed on the extension of the constitution review committee of the party to accept new recommendations,” Ologunagba stated.
The New Diplomat reports that this latest endorsement comes after the National Working Committee had declared solidarity for Damagum.
It would be recalled that Damagum’s struggles began after 60 members of the House of Representatives demanded Damagum’s departure, advocating for the appointment of a substantive chairman from the North Central region. Damagum had been accused by some PDP leaders, including federal lawmakers, of doing the bidding of the APC.
However, shortly after this announcement, the House minority caucus, under the leadership of Hon. Kingsley Chinda, disassociated from the group, labeling it an unrecognized entity within the parliament.
The development has since been causing rancor within the fold of the PDP, as the members of the party are divided over Damagun. It has been reported that the members calling for the removal of Damagun are reportedly supporting Atiku and those calling for the continued stay of the acting National Chairman are in support of Wike.
