‪PDP Governor’s Forum Insists Umar Damagun Remains PDP Acting Chairman ‬

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has maintained its stance that Umar Damagun will continue to serve as the acting National Chairman of the PDP. This position was reinforced following a court ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court issued a restraining order against the PDP, preventing any actions to remove Damagun from his position as acting chairman until a suit challenging his potential removal is resolved.

The legal contention surrounds the PDP’s internal governance, specifically the procedures for electing or appointing national officers. The court’s decision was based on Articles 42, 47, and 67 of the PDP constitution, which stipulate that national officers, including the National Chairman, can only be elected or replaced through a national convention of the party. This ruling effectively blocks any interim or summary removal of Damagun, emphasizing the constitutional necessity for a convention to address such changes in leadership.

This development comes amidst disagreements within the PDP, with some factions advocating for adherence to zonal rotation of the chairmanship, while others, including certain governors within the PDP, have expressed varied opinions on Damagun’s tenure. The court’s intervention underscores a commitment to due process within the party’s structure, potentially stabilizing internal leadership disputes until a formal convention can be convened to decide on the party’s leadership moving forward.

The PDP Governors’ Forum, by insisting on Damagun’s continuity, appears to align with the legal interpretation that respects the party’s constitutional processes, thereby avoiding what could be seen as an unconstitutional or abrupt change in leadership. This situation reflects ongoing power dynamics and procedural adherence within one of Nigeria’s major political parties.