The crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party appears far from over, with the camp of former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, backing the embattled acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
Some members of the party alleged that the Wike faction had finalised plans to suspend some of its opponents.
A senior party member, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Sunday PUNCH, confirmed that the camp led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory was preparing to confront those against its efforts to maintain Damagum’s position.
The source revealed that in the coming days, Wike’s faction would take measures such as expulsion and suspension to neutralise members of the opposing camp, particularly those loyal to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at the state, local government and ward levels.
The PUNCH had previously reported that four governors – Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba), are aligned with Wike in supporting Damagum.
In contrast, the PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman, Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara; and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, are reportedly opposed to Damagum continuing in acting capacity.
Since his appointment as acting National Chairman following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s court-ordered removal, Damagum has faced criticism from party leaders and calls for his resignation have intensified.
At the PDP’s 98th National Executive Committee meeting on April 18, party leaders approved the creation of a reconciliation and disciplinary committee.
They also decided to hold ward and state congresses and tasked the North Central caucus with consulting on finding a replacement for Damagum.
The 99th NEC meeting of the PDP, originally scheduled for August 15, was first postponed to October 24, 2024, then rescheduled for November 28, 2024, and later suspended indefinitely.
Despite this, the PDP Governors Forum instructed the National Working Committee to convene the NEC latest February, 2025.
Former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, and the Board of Trustees of the party also urged the NWC to hold the NEC in February to resolve outstanding issues, including the need for the North Central to nominate a replacement for Damagum.
The anti-Wike/Damagum camp believes the repeated postponements are designed to safeguard the interests of Wike’s faction and preserve his control over the party.
As a result, both camps have been mobilising their supporters for verbal confrontations aimed at exposing and derailing each other’s plans.
The senior party member told Sunday PUNCH that Wike’s camp targeted Ikenga Ugochinyere, the representative for Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, for his criticism of Wike and the Damagum-led NWC.
The source claimed that Ugochinyere’s expulsion was part of Wike’s faction’s wider strategy to consolidate power by removing or silencing opponents.
“There’s a deliberate plan to move against party members and even members of the public who oppose their interests,” the source said, adding that the Wike camp planned to prevent any opposition from having a voice or influence by February.
According to sources, some NWC members have stopped attending meetings regularly due to growing disunity within the party.
These members are reportedly managing the situation until the party establishes a National Elective Convention planning committee next year.
Attempts to reach Damagum and the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for commentS on the reported plan were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to calls or messages.
However, a member of the NEC and Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, dismissed the claims, asserting that it was normal for individuals to pursue their aspirations.
“I want to believe that this is in the realm of speculation. Ultimately, people want their aspirations and ideals to take precedence.”
“So, if there are those who believe the Damagum-led NWC is underperforming, it is only natural, as not all PDP members are on the same page. Therefore, I see no reason the Damagum-led NWC would use its position to target anyone. The only thing I believe Damagum is doing is working to reconcile issues and members within the party,” Osadolor said.
Meanwhile, a NEC member from the North Central and immediate past PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated that the zone would honour the Board of Trustees by selecting a substantive National Chairman.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, he described the mood in the zone as both calm and hopeful.
“We commend the BoT for supporting the call for North Central to nominate a replacement who will complete Ayu’s term,” he said.
Also, a former National Secretary of the party, Umar Ibrahim-Tsauri, expressed confidence that the PDP would overcome its internal challenges.
“PDP is a political party founded by Nigerians for Nigerians. Regardless of the current issues, it is a party that cannot be defeated by internal crises. We always find a way to overcome them,” he stated.
In a related development, the NWC of the PDP has rejected the reported expulsion of Ugochinyere from the party by the Umuopia/Umukegwu Ward chapter in Imo State.
In a statement on Saturday, the PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, declared the alleged expulsion null and void, stating that it was inconsistent with the clear provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
It was previously reported that the representative for Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State and spokesman for the Coalition of United Political Parties was expelled by the Imo PDP Publicity Secretary, Lancelot Obiak, through a statement released on Friday.
The statement indicated that Ugochinyere’s expulsion was carried out by the PDP executive in Ideato LGA, through a letter dated December 5, 2024, signed by the LGA Chairman, ThankGod Okeke, and Secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh.
The expulsion was reportedly due to alleged gross indiscipline, insubordination, and anti-party activities.
The PDP publicity secretary emphasised that no ward, local government, or state chapter of the party had the authority to suspend, expel, or discipline a National Assembly member in any way without following the proper procedures set by the party’s constitution, which requires consultation with the NWC.
