Ahead of the National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scheduled for October 24, a rift has emerged over the zone that should produce a replacement for the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum. The disagreement pits two prominent party chieftains against each other, with Segun Showunmi, a 2023 PDP governorship aspirant in Ogun State, at odds with former National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan.
According to Ologbondiyan, the replacement should come from the North Central region, citing Section 47(6) of the party’s constitution, which states that if a vacancy arises in any party office, the Executive Committee must appoint someone from the same area or zone as the departing officer to complete their term. He argued that the North Central region has been agitating for Damagum to step down and return to his position as Deputy National Chairman, allowing the zone to nominate a suitable replacement.
However, Showunmi disagrees, insisting that the seat is not exclusively reserved for the North Central region. He pointed out that the removal of the last PDP chairman was partly due to North Central issues and warned that the party will suffer if it continues down this path. Showunmi, who is from the South, believes that he has the best ideas to revitalize the party and bring in young people. He emphasized that his decision to put himself forward for the position is a risk, but one he is willing to take to ensure the party’s survival.
The disagreement highlights the ongoing internal turmoil within the PDP, which has been plagued by criticism of Damagum’s leadership and demands for reform. The party’s members, particularly those from the North Central region, have been calling for Damagum’s replacement, citing his inability to effectively address the party’s challenges.
As the PDP prepares for its National Executive Committee meeting, the fate of Damagum’s leadership hangs in the balance. The party’s members will have to navigate the complex web of regional interests and personalities to find a solution that satisfies all parties. One thing is clear, however: the PDP’s future hangs in the balance, and the outcome of this meeting will have far-reaching consequences for the party’s prospects.
