The Concerned PDP League (CPDPL), a pressure within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said the 2027 presidential ticket of the party is the major reason some PDP leaders wanted the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum to stepdown.
The group in a statement jointly signed by its National Secretary, Alhaji Tasiu M. Muhammed, and Acting Director of Publicity & Communication ,Comrade Justina D. Dashi, claimed that former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, who the group said has presidential ambition, believed Damagum’s leadership of the party will work against their ambition.
“Our investigation revealed that, since the exit of senator Dr Iyorchia Ayu, and the emergence of Ambassador Umar Illiya Damagum, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, feels he is at the verge of losing his chances of getting the PDP presidential ticket in 2027 because, his long time political ally (Sen. Ayu) who he claimed cannot be removed without constitutional amendment, was unceremoniously booted out.
“Also, the Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, and Presidential hopeful, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, feels happy with the exit of Senator Iyorchia Ayu but at same time feels his ambition is at stake with Ambassador Damagum’s chairmanship, since both of them are from the North East,” the statement added.
The group alleged that Damagum is being pressurised to suspended the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
According to the CPDPL, Damagum’s continued stay in office is supported by sections 47 (6), 35 (3c) and 45 (2) of the PDP constitution
“What is playing out in our great party today, is all about 2027 presidential ambitions nothing more,” the group said, and urged Damagum, not to succumb to but to continue to stabilise and unite the party.
“He should not allow anybody to intimidate him into calling for NEC meeting,” it further advised.
