PDP crisis: More cracks in governors’ rank as BoT meets NASS caucus
• Fintiri backs Damagum, Adeleke stands with governors’ forum
• BoT declares meeting with NASS caucus peaceful
The division within the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) widened, yesterday, as more governors on the party’s platforms declared their stance on the continued stay of the acting national chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, in office.
While Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde had parted ways with the position of the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, who is also the chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, that the acting chairman of the party be relieved of his position, another governor of the party, Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, yesterday, declared for the party’s constitution on the chairmanship crisis raging in the party, and as a result aligned with the decision of the PDP Governors’ Forum on the matter.
He said in a statement: “I stand by the constitution of our great party, which clearly spelt out the succession procedure in case of the exit of an elected chairman. I also stand by the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum of which I am an integral part. Our party must adhere to its constitution at this critical time and at all times. That is the way to build a responsible political party.”
This is as Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, pledged his full support for Damagum, insisting that not only Adamawa but the North-East zone of the party in Taraba, Gombe, Borno and Yobe states have endorsed Damagum’s leadership.
Fintiri, speaking on behalf of the five states, cited a Federal High Court Abuja restraining order for Damagum to complete former chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu’s tenure, saying unless the court decides otherwise, they stand with Damagum.
While describing the performance of the party in the North-East region during the 2023 elections as unprecedented at all levels, the governor noted that the zone deserves the position of National Chairman more than any section in the North.
MEANWHILE, as part of the ongoing efforts towards resolving the lingering crisis, members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) yesterday held a closed-door meeting with the party’s caucus in the National Assembly. This is after the BoT on Tuesday met with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and on Wednesday met with Mohammed, chair of the governors’ forum.
Chairman of the BoT, Adolphus Wabara, stated that yesterday’s meeting with the PDP caucus in the National Assembly was peaceful. Party stakeholders have criticized Damagum for failing to take decisive steps to reform the party. The situation worsened with Wike, Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, and the PDP Governors’ Forum bickering over the party’s structure in the state.
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