Ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for November 28, the acting National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) held a meeting with the party’s state chairmen from across the 36 states.

The meeting, which took place at the PDP national headquarters on Wednesday, was initially reported to have been called by Damagum to gain the support of the state chairmen, aiming to extend his tenure as acting national chairman until the next convention in December 2025.

Damagum, who assumed the position after the suspension of former National Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has faced increasing pressure to vacate his seat in favour of someone from the North-Central region to complete the zone’s tenure. Despite this, Damagum and his supporters have remained defiant, with some stakeholders taking legal action to prevent his removal.

However, speaking before the closed-door session, Damagum clarified that the meeting was not related to his position or the NEC but was simply an interactive session with the new state chairmen.

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“This is not an unusual meeting. We’ve had such meetings before, and it is just an opportunity for us to interact and discuss matters like the upcoming Zonal Congresses,” Damagum said. He further stated that the issue of the NEC was solely within the jurisdiction of the NWC and the party chairman, adding that there were no ulterior motives behind the gathering.

He also explained that the session was meant to welcome the new state chairmen, who represented over half of the attendees, and to foster better relationships. “There is no agenda about NEC or anything else; this is simply a normal meeting to know each other and discuss the Zonal Congresses,” Damagum affirmed.

Meanwhile, following the meeting, the State Chairmen dismissed rumours of a crisis within the party, calling them baseless and the work of detractors.

The Acting Chairman of the forum, Hon. Austine Nwachukwu, who is also the Imo State Chairman, clarified that the meeting was aimed at building unity among the party’s leadership. “The NWC felt it was necessary to bring everyone together to foster unity and collaboration,” Nwachukwu said, emphasising that recent state congresses had been held successfully.

He also addressed the allegations of infighting within the party, stating, “What some are calling a crisis is merely cosmetic. The party leadership is intact, and any issues are being handled internally.”

Despite efforts by some stakeholders from the North-Central to replace Damagum, it was gathered that Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and Zonal Chairman Daka Shan were yet to call a meeting to select a replacement.

A source revealed that the responsibility now rests with the two leaders to convene a session, but they have not yet done so. It was gathered that Damagum’s loyalists were banking on this to push for the acting chairman to remain on the seat until the party’s convention in 2025.