Amid calls for his resignation, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has passed a vote of confidence in Umar Damagum, the party’s acting national chair. The vote of confidence was passed during an NWC meeting presided over by Taofeek Arapaja, the deputy national chairman (south), on Tuesday.
In a statement on Wednesday, PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba said the motion for the vote of confidence was moved by Ali Odefa, the national vice chairman (south-east), and seconded by Yayari Mohammed, the national treasurer. The NWC commended Damagum for his “efforts and commitment” to “stabilize and reposition the PDP as the main opposition party in Nigeria”.
The development comes after some PDP members in the House of Representatives called for Damagum’s resignation on April 8. The lawmakers accused him of “doctoring” the caretaker committee members’ lists in Rivers and 10 other states, and claimed the party has only known “misfortune” since the removal of former national chair Iyorchia Ayu.
They demanded that Damagum step down to allow a member from the north-central geopolitical zone to complete Ayu’s tenure.
Ayu was suspended from office in March 2023 after the executive members of his ward, Gboko LGA of Benue, passed a vote of no confidence in him over alleged anti-party activities. Damagum has been acting as the national chairman since then.
The PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC), the party’s highest decision-making organ, is scheduled to meet on Thursday and may likely take a decision on the party’s chairmanship position.