The National Assembly Caucus (NAC) of the People Democratic Party (PDP) has commended the strategic decision of the party’s stakeholders to allow the acting national chairman, Umar Damagun, to remain in office until the national convention in August 2024.
Tribune Online learnt that members of the NAC described the action as a victory for the party, as it denied the different camps who were poised to either remove the chairman from office or confirm him as a substantive chairman for a tenure, the opportunity to do so.
This was revealed by an insider, who added that being their first National Executive Council meeting, after the elections, all parties were advised to sheath their swords and allow for wider consultations and respect for the party’s constitution.
According to the source, “Each camp was prevailed on to downplay their anger, and this being our first meeting after the general elections of 2023, we should neither discuss the removal of the acting chairman nor replacement with a new chairman.
“Rather we should address internal issues that should strengthen the party on discipline and reconciliations. And by the next NEC meeting, we should address the issue of the chairmanship. And at that meeting, we would apply the party’s constitution, which states that the next national chairman should come from North Central.”
Our source, who pleaded anonymity, further said, “Between now and then is enough time for consultations and we should agree on who should be the national chairman. We also resolved that the party should not be stampeded into making a choice of who should be our national chairman without the input of all major stakeholders.
“That was the position canvased by the leadership of the NASS PDP Caucus. And it was taken. It is not about the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, as being wrongly carried by some people.
“It was actually a position championed by the Natiional Assembly Caucus led by the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Senator Seriake Dickson. They took that decision that saved the day.
“Senator Dickson raised the issue which was carried and we set up a team and Dickson spoke on our behalf. It was a strategic decision, as we all agreed that Alhaji Damagun would go by August after he had concluded the congresses.”
The insider stressed that it was insulting to imagine that it was a Wike’s victory over Atiku, adding that the former Vice President and the presidential candidate for the 2023 elections was there at the meeting and sat quietly.
“So it was a no victor or vanquished situation because if Wike’s camp had their way, Damagun could have been confirned; just as those who went there with a mind of having a new chairman also failed in their mission.
“Interestingly, Damagun also said he is not a sit-tight chairman, just as the PDP Governors also toed the same line. We will agree on a North-Central candidate that will strengthen the party after consultations.
“The Chairmanship has been zoned to the North-Central but that will not be enough qualification. We need someone who has capacity to rebuild the party,” said the insider who attended the meeting.
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