PDP chairmanship contest becomes more competitive as Atiku supports Suswam against Wike’s Damagum

The rivalry between the Peoples Democratic Party’s potential 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesome Wike, has intensified in anticipation of the party’s 98th National Executive Committee meeting.

A key agenda item expected to be discussed during the NEC meeting on Thursday, April 18, is the status of the party’s interim National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and whether he should continue in his role or be replaced.

There is a growing demand for Damagum to step down and for a permanent Chairman to be appointed.

Damagum, who previously served as the PDP National Deputy Chairman (North), assumed the position of acting National Chairman after the court suspended the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, in March of last year.

The suspension of Ayu was initiated by Terhide Utaan, a member of the PDP, who based his request on a previous vote of no confidence passed by the executives of Ayu’s ward. In a separate development, 60 members of the House of Representatives called for Damagum’s removal and suggested that a chairman from the North Central region should be appointed. Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of Benue State, and Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, a former Deputy National Secretary of the PDP, are both vying for the position of PDP National Chairman. While Atiku’s camp supports Suswam, the Wike camp, backed by some PDP governors, is advocating for Damagum to be confirmed as the chairman to complete Ayu’s tenure.

A reliable source from the PDP North Central Caucus revealed that Wike and his group are in favor of Damagum’s continuation and also want the North Central to produce the National Deputy Chairman.

strained relationship between Atiku and Wike began during the lead-up to the 2023 general elections when Atiku secured the PDP presidential ticket and did not choose Wike as his running mate.