Exactly who were the ‘marauders’ that chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, referred to as being active within the party, who were intent on taking away a faction for the purpose of consummating a coalition in preparation for 2027?
“We are aware that there are some marauders hanging around somewhere, trying to factionalize our party and take one faction to go and do coalition (with another party) ; we are not going to allow that”, he said in response to reporters’ questions after reading the Forum’s communiqué at the Akwa Ibom Governors’ Lodge last Wednesday.
By whatever interpretation, one of two names within the PDP came into the minds of many who heard or read about Mohammed’s reference to ‘marauders’. It left political analysts and party members buzzing with speculation.
Nonetheless, as the unit said to be bankrolling party operations and moving the most significant set of chess pieces within the party, the PDP Governors’ Forum, along with some sets of party elders, exerted much influence on the interest articulation and interest aggregation processes of the party to avoid an implosion.
According to Bala Mohammed: “It was planned that the party would have an implosion,” but efforts towards reconciliation and stability appear to have paid off significantly.
It took about eighteen months in coming but its trifecta of last week’s formal meetings – National Caucus meeting, the Board of Trustees (BoT) gathering, and the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting – stirred a whirlwind of activities that have left analysts and party members buzzing with speculation.
For each of these three meetings, there were series of informal and discreet consultations that took place across Abuja as the political chess games gained traction. In various ways, they all offered glimpses into the power dynamics shaping the party’s future, particularly as the race for the 2027 presidential election heats up early.
Behind Closed Doors: The Pro-Atiku vs. Pro-Wike Tussle
One cannot discuss the recent PDP meetings without delving into the behind-the-scenes power tussle between the pro-Atiku and pro-Wike camps. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike have emerged as key figures representing these factions, each vying for influence and control over the party’s.
At the National Caucus meeting, the pro-Wike camp seemed to gain some ground, leveraging the FCT Minister’s growing influence and political acumen. Wike’s strategic alliances within the party have bolstered his position, making him a formidable force that cannot be easily sidelined.
On the other hand, Atiku with his national spread of allies cultivated over the years and vast political network, remains a potent figure within the PDP. Despite the setbacks at recent meetings, his camp has been working tirelessly to rally support and consolidate power ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
Ironically, for both eminent party men, loud whispers alleging pernicious intents randomly proliferate. One is said to have an almost unholy hold over the party’s national exco and to have virtually desecrated the party’s constitution and unity of purpose by openly working against PDP interest in 2023 and rigidly intent on pursuing similar course on a grander note in 2027 – a sure case for severe party sanctions over anti-party activities.
The other is accused of having done worse in 2015 by boosting the factional ‘New PDP’ with such malevolent strength that helped ensure PDP’s loss and the victory of the newly-formed All Progressives Congress (APC). He is also accused of tending towards monopolizing the party’s presidential ticket, with sights set on adding the 2027 ticket to his perennial run.
Factions and Intra-Party Tensions Unveiled
Many party leaders consistently brush off questions about contending intra-party camps whose contention for influence significantly enriched PDP’s political significance. For a party still reeling from its loss at the 2023 general elections, its members approached last week’s meetings with minds at a crossroads, grappling with internal divisions and a need for a decisive strategic redirection. At the core of this turmoil are Atiku and Wike, each steering their factions with distinct visions for the party’s path forward.
The Atiku camp, primarily composed of long-standing party members has been pushing for some critical changes within the party’s leadership structures towards a last but resolute bid for 2027 presidency. The ex-VP’s supporters argue that his national recognition and experience are vital as the party seeks to consolidate and prepare for future electoral challenges.
Contrastingly, former Rivers State Governor and FCT Minister Wike, known for his assertive and sometimes controversial political maneuvers, leads the opposing camp – a bloc that gives a loud voice to all those opposed to another presidential bid by Atiku with whom he had an epochal tussle before finally leading the G5 governors to join forces with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s APC in a frontal battle against Atiku that spread from the streets and airwaves through polling booths and the law courts.
While the Atiku camp sought a tactical punch in supporting calls for a review of recently constituted caretaker committees for some nineteen states, the Wike camp has been vocal about the need for an overhaul and a new strategic approach that distances the party from the shadows of past electoral defeats.
In the build up to the PDP national leadership’s meetings, machinations within the party were playing out behind the scenes like a political drama.
Three core issues easily identified were whether to allow acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum, remain in that office or get kicked backwards into his position as Deputy National Chairman (North). Second was the issue of sanctions against those said to have engaged in anti-party activities that facilitated PDP’s loss of the 2023 elections. Third is the demand for review of Caretaker Committees constituted for various states, with mandate to run the affairs until state congresses are organized in about three months’ time.
The Damagum issue that appeared to overshadow all else erupted only after a date had been set for last week’s meetings. The assumption of those in the Wike camp is that pro-Atiku people are behind efforts to displace Damagum while the Atiku loyalists feel concerned that a lackluster party official is only being kept in place for the simple reason of being particularly beholden to Wike.
The pro-Damagun camp, said to be largely the same as the pro-Wike camp argue vehemently for his continuity, citing his stewardship during a period of unprecedented turmoil. They point to his efforts in stabilizing the party apparatus and his commitment to upholding the PDP’s core values. Additionally, they highlight his diplomatic skills in navigating the intricate web of intra-party dynamics; a quality they believe is indispensable for the party’s resurgence. To them, Damagum had even been burdened by the Atiku camp, dishing out favours like the presentation of a party candidate in Kogi State who turned to have collected hefty donations from PDP governors and others, directly manage all the funds by himself and then, not tidily handling expenditures like payment of party agents on election day.
Conversely, dissenting voices within the party clamor for Damagun’s ousting, characterizing his tenure as lackluster and uninspiring. Critics, including those in the Atiku camp accuse him of failing to decisively address the underlying fissures within the party and of being too beholden to Wike and allegedly succumbing to external pressures rather than asserting the PDP’s distinct identity. For this faction, the removal of Damagun represents a necessary step towards rejuvenating the party leadership and reinvigorating its electoral prospects.
A second major issue that preceded the party’s national leadership meetings was the allegation of anti-party activities and the need to sanction perpetrators of such. Here, it was believed that some people had Wike in their sights, with expectations that he, along with members of the G5 governors’ group and all their loyalists who worked against Atiku in 2015 would be effectively stripped of relevance through suspension or, even, expulsion
The issue of alleged anti-party activities added another layer of complexity to the unfolding saga. While some within the party demand stringent measures against those implicated, others caution against hasty judgments and advocate for a more nuanced approach. Behind closed doors, negotiations went underway, with influential figures seeking to shield allies while appeasing aggrieved factions. The delicate balancing act between accountability and reconciliation tested the party’s ability to reconcile its internal contradictions.
According to a highly placed member of the party, a determined effort had earlier made by the Atiku camp to pursue the sanction issue ensured a meeting at the Abuja residence of Chief Tom Ikimi during the first week of August last year but the complexity of the issue was such that the meeting could not issue a communiqué and after the meeting, chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, saved the party’s face by telling reporters that major discussions at the meeting were PDP concerns about rising food prices and the need for President Tinubu not to go to war with Niger Republic.
According to the source: “At the August 2023 meeting initiated by the Atiku camp with a plan towards suspending Wike, Alhaji Bala Mohammed spoke first and said that Atiku will introduce the agenda of the meeting but when he did, he seemed to have also gone on towards making the conclusions.
“When it was Damagum’s turn to speak, he pointed out that other than Wike who accepted APC’ ministerial position, PDP governors also accepted President Bola Tinubu’s offer of ten board appointees each from their various states; Damagum went on to say that if sanctions are to be decided, the meeting should give him the go-ahead there and then, warning that nobody should bother to call or send text messages once the issue was decided.
“Some wondered what timeline would be used in determining those to be sanctioned – was it to be restricted to those like Wike who mobilized for APC in 2023 or to include leaders like Atiku, Bukola Saraki and others whose ‘New PDP’ decisively ensured PDP’s loss to APC in 2015?
“Things became complicated because no decision could be taken without the governors’ endorsement and the sanctions issue was left aside, with persistent, angry murmurings and no concrete action, but let us see the magic that would be done over that issue at the forthcoming PDP National Caucus meeting,” he said.
In March, prior to the announcement of plans for the major formal meetings, the PDP national headquarters acknowledged the significance of this issue. Concerned about the need to reposition the party and begin early preparations before 2027 elections, the National Executive Committee directed state party chairmen to submit comprehensive reports. Shortly before they entered a closed-door session at the PDP National headquarters in Abuja, Damagum told state chairmen led by former minister and chairman of Forum of PDP Chairmen, Mr. Felix Hassan Hyet, that the interactive meeting was called towards finding strategic solutions to the party’s challenges.
PDP National Organizing Secretary, Captain Umar Bature (rtd), who addressed the meeting at length emphasized the need to review the party’ leadership positions at ward, local government and state levels nationwide and also deal with elements doing anti-party activities.
“Lots of agitations are coming from party members to suspend this (person), suspend that (person) but you are the ones that are in charge of those states; you are to tell us who did anti-party activities and who did not do such so, based on that, PDP NWC will take decision. Write to us and tell us what transpired, no matter what happened,” said Bature.
He emphasized the need for the party headquarters to have comprehensive reports on all those elements that perpetrated anti-party activities in various states during the 2023 general elections and the subsequent ones. However, till date, no one is sure of the exact timeline to begin identifying anti-party activities or what sanction can possibly be used.
Third was the Caretaker Committee Conundrum. The selection and confirmation of caretaker committee members for the states underscore the deep-seated tensions within the PDP. With the jockeying for positions of influence came accusations of nepotism and favoritism that threatened to undermine the legitimacy of the process. With stakes high and ambitions soaring, the caucus saw the need to tread carefully to avoid exacerbating existing fault lines and alienating crucial constituencies.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara particularly insisted that a review of the names of Wike loyalists that appeared on the list for Rivers state must be prioritized before anything else. It was no surprise that the issue became a crucial part of the communique of the PDP Governors’ Forum at its Wednesday meeting.
“We equally want to use this opportunity to reaffirm that in Rivers State, the governors would work assiduously towards resolving all the issues in the State with a view to uniting all the stakeholders,” Mohammed stated while reading the governors’ communiqué.
When the National Caucus began a closed-door meeting at Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja last Wednesday night, party leaders singled out the friction over party caretaker committees in Rivers State as an immediate priority, noting that following the party headquarters release of lists of caretaker committees to take control of wards, local government and state levels affairs in 19 states and the FCT, Fubara had made vehement protests over alleged inclusion of undeserving Wike loyalists for his state.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, who read a short statement to reporters said that the previous evening’s meeting of PDP Governors had requested urgent decision to resolve the matter. “We had a pre-caucus meeting between the PDP Governors Forum and the NWC; arising from that meeting, we have a short message to communicate. The issue of Rivers state caretaker Committee was raised at the meeting of PDP Governors and the PDP National Working Committee and it was resolved that political solution should be applied to resolve all issues related thereto.
“Consequently, PDP Governors Forum directed that the National Working Committee revisit the issue of Rivers State Caretaker Committee list,” he stated.
Meetings: Setting the stage for 2027
It is doubtful whether an opposition party can rouse its structures, mobilize members and reposition itself without some good measure of intra-party frictions and conflict containment measures the way PDP just did.
On March 26, the party pragmatically commenced efforts towards repositioning itself in preparation for 2027 electoral battle when it summoned members of the party’s National Caucus to Abuja for a special meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, 2024. On their part, the PDP Governors’ Forum scheduled a meeting to hold on the same day but before that of the PDP National Caucus. A statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba stated that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT) were also to have separate meetings at the party’s national headquarters the following day.
The pre-meeting intrigues kicked off in earnest, with Atiku and Wike, along with their top lieutenants and several other interest groups holding private meetings in various parts of Abuja city.
Embattled acting National Chairman Damagum also partook in several, including that of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) which passed a vote of confidence on him at their 584th meeting at the Party’s National Secretariat on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. In line with PDP constitution, the party organ holds a fortnightly meeting. According to National Publicity Secetary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, the Deputy National Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja presided over the motion for vote of confidence on the acting National Chairman which was moved by the National Vice Chairman (South East), Chief Ali Odefa and seconded by the National Treasurer, Hon. Yayari Mohammed. They said that it was in commendation of the efforts and commitment of the Damagum to stabilize and reposition the PDP as the main opposition party in Nigeria.
Thereafter, Damagum held meetings with ex-officio members of the PDP and then met the party chairmen from 36 states and Abuja at the NEC Hall, PDP National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
Meanwhile, disparate coalitions in the North-Central geo-political zone began forging a determined bid for one of their members to serve out the term of the former PDP National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu by tabling their issue before both the National Caucus meeting slated for Wednesday, April 17, 2024 as well as the party’s NEC meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 18, 2024.
“It has taken the PDP North-Central Caucus a period of intense lobbying and consultations to prevail on the party’s National Working Committee on the need to convene a NEC meeting that would receive the zone’s nomination and approve such as substantive National Chairman to replace Ayu,” said one of the North Central zone members. Their agenda was to get current acting National Chairman of PDP, Ambassador Illiya Damagum from Yobe State to revert to his old position of Deputy National Chairman, (North) as originally allocated in the party’s National zoning arrangements.
An Abuja meeting of the PDP North Central Zonal Executive Committee and respective State Chairmen of the Party from the six states of the zone and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) facilitated by one of the governors in the zone made conclusive arrangements and reached out to several influential party members from other geo-political zones ahead of the forthcoming meetings at the PDP National headquarters.
Their confidence about convincing party leaders, including Damagum on the need to revert to his former position appears to be further bolstered by a conviction that such move was totally in tune with the provision of the PDP’s Constitution.
“With the exit of the former National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, our zone was expected to produce a successor, but this was delayed; the National Chairmanship is zoned to the North Central, and the PDP Constitution provides that a successor must come from the North Central. So the Constitution should be followed. We have held a series of meetings on the issue and this was also the reason State Chairmen from the North Central met in Abuja on last Wednesday. We are unanimous in seeking a credible nomination and I can confirm to you that names are being discussed; we are narrowing our selection and stakeholders will reach a conclusion on their choice before the April 18 meeting. We have mandated the governor (Muftwang) that he should call a Caucus meeting of our zone to enable us to come up with a replacement to take the mantle from Ambassador Damagum,” The Nation on Sunday was told.
Ousted National Chairman Ayu’s withdrawal of his court case and the PDP’s withdrawal of a related appeal at this time appeared to have made the case for the North-Central zone brighter.
However, it turned out that the zone’s caucus had different sets of people pushing for different candidates. While names were coming up from several North-Central states, that of former Nasarawa state governorship candidate, Hon. David Ombugadu came up as an unassailable contender and some even suggest that he be considered for the National Chairmanship position.
Young and below fifty years old, with a doctorate degree, his vigorous mobilization in APC-controlled Nasarawa State and his very narrow loss to the incumbent APC governor, Abdullahi Sule, at the courts are among things that mark him out. He is still likely to come in as a member of the party leadership before the end of the year, especially as power brokers within the party have deftly knocked out other serious contenders. For instance, Benue State PDP which Northeast governors see as being more of a failure in the 2023 was knocked out, partly to get rid of Atiku-backed former governor, Gabriel Suswam and a former Assistant National Secretary, Emmanuel Agbo, who was running for the National Chairmanship position is now the Director General of PDP Governors’ Forum.
The meeting of the PDP Governors Forum determined the course of other subsequent meetings. Amongst other decisions, they prioritized an insistence to ensure that contrary to the expectations of gladiators from various camps, the issue of leadership change does not feature for now. They also resolved to apply ‘political solutions.’
The PDP National Caucus meeting took place with firmly restricted attendance list that some rightly or wrongly interpreted as a decisive use of party constitutional parameters to curtail the presence of pro-Atiku tendencies. But according to an Atiku loyalist, Professor Tunde Olusunle, who was a former Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo, neither Atiku nor his loyalists felt any need for anxiety.
The Board of Trustees meeting was particularly crucial as it provided a platform for the party’s elder statesmen to weigh in on the internal dynamics and chart a course for the future. The BoT’s influence cannot be underestimated, as their endorsement or lack thereof significantly impacted the party’s efforts to unify various tendencies and move forward.
As widely reported, the PDP NEC meeting served as the final battleground where the pro-Atiku and pro-Wike factions’ ideas and proposals over key party decisions and strategies were sorted out and the outcome of this meeting could have long-lasting implications for the PDP’s unity and cohesion going forward.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for PDP and its 2027 agenda
Although some party leaders, including Governor Mohammed still tried to give the impression that there are no factions contending against one another, it must be pointed out that others explicitly asserted the existence of such, noting that it is inevitable in a vigorous repositioning process.
While addressing the party’s Board of Trustees whom he described as “custodians of our party’s values and principles,” last Thursday, acting National Chairman of PDP Damagum explicitly told them that the party was facing internal strife instigated from within.
“We cannot ignore the fact that our party is facing internal strife, fueled by inactions disagreements and then, to demonstrate unity and resolve in the face of adversity; let us not allow the actions of a few to overshadow the collective vision that unites us all,” Damagum said.
He also echoed widespread views that the party is going through pivotal moments that would determine its health and public standing across Nigeria in the build-up towards 2027.
“The widespread public interest in the affairs of our Party is a strong pointer to the confidence Nigerians repose in the PDP as their only hope in the face of escalating insecurity, bloodletting, biting economic hardship, infrastructural decay and pervasive misery occasioned by the horrible mis-governance of the heavily corrupt and insensitive All Progressives Congress (APC) administration spanning nine years. As advocates of democracy, we must uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in all our endeavours; the process of mediation must be conducted with utmost fairness and impartiality, ensuring that every voice is heard, and every perspective is taken into consideration.
“Our contributions and decisions at this meeting must therefore be guided by the dictates of the Constitution of our great party and the vision of our founding fathers and mothers so that we can come out stronger and more united for the task ahead.In conclusion, let us heed the call of history and rise above the challenges that confront us today; together, we can overcome the obstacles that lie in our path and emerge stronger and more united than ever before.
“The future of our party and the destiny of our nation depend on our collective actions in this critical moment; I have every confidence in the wisdom and integrity of the members of the National Executive Council to rise to this occasion and lead our party to greater heights,” Damagum said
In an earlier speech during the PDP BOT’s meeting that preceded that of the National Executive Committee (NEC), BOT chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, emphasized that despite lingering challenges, the PDP must reposition itself so as to take over power in 2027.
“Together, we have the power to surmount any obstacle, overcome any challenge, and realize our collective vision of a stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive party ready to take overpower at the center in 2027,”.
The approximately 353 attendees at the meeting at the PDP national headquarters in Abuja include the PDP BOT’s Secretary, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, acting National Chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Damagum, the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Hon Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed, along with many former and current governors.
Wabara said that the meeting was designed to provide a platform for the BoT as the conscience of the party to reflect on the state of the party in order to provide guidance for the party, leaders and members.
“Nigerians are currently passing through a perilous time and their earnest expectation is for us as a Party to put our house in order and effectively lead the charge to rescue our nation from the stranglehold of the All-Progressives Congress (APC).We must therefore go into this meeting with the determination and resolve to urgently come up with practical solutions to the challenges facing our Party at this time.
“I must address a matter that weighs heavily on our collective conscience, the leadership of the party as it stands.
“Recalling the events that led to the ousting of the former Chairman of the Party in person of H.E. Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the current Acting Chairman has spent over a year in office whereas as the usual practice of the party, the region from whence the national officer hails from should have produced a viable candidate to complete the tenure of the former national officer.
“Furthermore, the contentious issue surrounding the office of the National Secretary has regrettably sown seeds of discord within our party. The ambiguity surrounding this position has led to confusion and internal strife, hindering our collective efforts to pursue our noble objectives. The solutions to these two challenges are clearly imbibed in our party’s constitution but deliberate litigations have made the application of these constitutional solutions impossible.
“It is incumbent upon us to resolve this matter with utmost urgency, guided by transparency, fairness, and the best interests of our party and its members,” he said.
Speaking further, Wabara emphasized that on-going changes offer the party new and genuine hope for repositioning and revitalising itself towards a brighter future.
“As we stand on the cusp of a new era, marked by the impending expiration of the Ward and LGA executive structures of our party across several states, we are presented with a pivotal opportunity to reinvigorate and reposition our party for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
“The forthcoming congresses at various levels serve as a beacon of hope, offering us a platform to reaffirm our commitment to democratic ideals, grassroots participation, and inclusive governance; let us seize this moment to embrace change, foster unity, and chart a course towards a brighter and more prosperous future for our party and our nation.
“In conclusion, let us approach the deliberations of this meeting with a spirit of fellowship, mutual respect, and unwavering dedication to the ideals and principles that bind us together as members of the great People’s Democratic Party (PDP),” he added.
It was no surprise therefore, that the 98th National Executive Council meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ended on Thursday with a strong resolve to unite various contending camps and rebrand the party towards returning to power in 2027.
Although some tension was still in the air when the meeting commenced, FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bennett Igwe and officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) cordoned off the PDP headquarters in Abuja and barred contending groups of hired protesters from hampering the peaceful anti-climax that manifested by the end of the meeting.
While part of the 15-point communiqué read by the PDP National Publicity Secretary Ologunagba predictably took a swipe at the APC-controlled Federal Government, it emphasized the PDP leaders new resolve to ensure early preparations for the 2027 general elections while some highly divisive issues, including the leadership position of acting National Chairman Damagum were either subtly modified or indefinitely postponed.
“NEC commends all the Organs of the Party for their collective resilience, steadfastness and commitment towards the unity, stability and sustenance of our great Party despite dauting challenges.
“NEC also commends members of the PDP, with particular reference to the youths and women for their courage in resisting the antics of the divisive and anti-people All Progressives Congress (APC), especially, its desperation to emasculate the opposition and foist a one-Party State on our nation.
“NEC charges all Organs, leaders, critical stakeholders and indeed all members of the PDP to close ranks, put aside every personal or group interests and work together in the overall effort to reposition and return the PDP to power at the center in the interest of the Nigerian people.
“Consequently, NEC received and approved the Timetable for Party Congresses across the country.
“NEC also approved the Reconstitution of the Party Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees to further ensure the stability of the Party.
“Similarly, NEC approved the extension of the life of the Party Constitution Amendment Committee to allow it to receive new amendment proposals for inclusion in its deliberation and final report for consideration by NEC.
“NEC commended the efforts of the National Working Committee in its effort towards rebranding the Party including the new look PDP Logo which is widely accepted by Party members and Nigerians in general.
“NEC charges all Party members to continue to work together for the success of the PDP for the benefit of Nigerians and sustenance of Democracy in our country,” Ologunagba stated
Political Fortunes and PDP’s Prospects for 2027
The recent processes have undoubtedly influenced the political fortunes of both Wike and Atiku. The former’s rising profile and strategic moves have positioned him as a potential kingmaker in the upcoming presidential election. His ability to forge alliances and navigate the party’s internal dynamics has earned him respect and admiration within the PDP but is there any likelihood that he will change course from putting his political arsenals behind the likely APC 2027 presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
On the other hand, Atiku camp, while still influential, must navigate the shifting sands of PDP politics carefully. The former Vice President’s experience and national appeal remain assets, but he faces stiff competition from rivals like Wike who are equally determined to shape the party’s future. His idea of adopting the coalition approach that has enabled the opposition to triumph in Senegal and other countries sound like an anathema to many of those steering PDP’s affairs today.
As the party gears up for the 2027 presidential election, it finds itself at a crossroads. The recent meetings have exposed both the strengths and weaknesses of the party’s internal structures, highlighting the need for unity and strategic planning.
Atiku in the rear mirror now?
Given the outcome of the much-anticipated meetings, one narrative has been to push the retention of Damagum as a victory for the Wike tendency. It is also said that Bala Mohammed’s less-than-subtle dismissal of those who want to take PDP into ‘coalitions’ was evidence that critical power centres in the party were now firmly putting former Vice President in the rear mirror.
But not agree that Wike was triumphant and Atiku humiliated. They rather see it as a showdown kicked down the road.
A Bayelsa PDP chieftain asserted that the strategic decision taken by the National Assembly Caucus of the party by resolving to allow the party’s acting national chairman Damagun, to remain in office until the national convention in August 2024 saved the day.
The chieftain, who spoke in confidence, said that the action was a victory for the party and not a victory for the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, as being wrongly bandied about.
According to him, the NEC denied the different camps who were poised to either remove the chairman from office or confirm him as a substantive chairman for a tenure, the opportunity to do so.
The source revealed that being their first National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, after the elections, all parties were advised to sheathe their swords and allow for wider consultations and respect for the party’s constitution.
The chieftain said: “Each camp was prevailed on to downplay their anger, and this being our first meeting after the general elections of 2023, we should neither discuss the removal of the acting chairman nor replacement with a new chairman.
“Rather we should address internal issues that should strengthen the party on discipline and reconciliations. And by next NEC meeting we should address the issue of the chairmanship. And at that meeting we would apply the party’s constitution, which states that the next national chairman should come from North Central.
“Between now and then is enough time for consultations and we should agree on who should be the national chairman. We also resolved that the party should not be stampeded into making a choice of who should be our national chairman without the inputs of all major stakeholders.
“That was the position canvased by the leadership of NASS PDP Caucus. And it was taken. It is not about the the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, as being wrongly carried by some people.
“It was actually a position championed by the National Assembly Caucus led by the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Senator Seriake Dickson. They took that decision that saved the day.
“Senator Dickson raised the issue which was carried and we set up a team and Dickson spoke on our behalf. It was a strategic decision, as we all agreed that the Alhaji Damagun will go by August, after he had concluded the congresses.”
The insider stressed that it was insulting to imagine that it was a Wike’s victory over Atiku, adding that the former Vice President and the presidential candidate for 2023 elections was there at the meeting and sat quietly.
The chieftain, who attended the NEC meeting, added: “So it was a no victor or vanquished situation, because if Wike’s camp had their way, Damagun could have been confirmed; just as those who went there with a mind of having a new chairman also failed in their mission.
“Interestingly, Damagun also said he is not a sit-tight chairman, just as the PDP governors also toed same line. We will agree on a North-Central candidate that will strengthen the party after consultations.
“The Chairmanship has been zoned to the North-Central but that will not be enough qualification. We need someone who has capacity to re-build the party.”
While the pro-Atiku and pro-Wike camps continue to vie for dominance, the PDP must find a way to bridge divides and present a united front to Nigerians; failure to do so could jeopardize the party’s chances in the upcoming election and hand an early advantage to the ruling APC, long before the 2027 polls begin.
Without doubt, PDP’s latest National Caucus, BoT, and NEC meetings have offered a fascinating glimpse into the power struggles and intrigues shaping the PDP’s future. As the party navigates the road to 2027, one thing is clear: the stakes have never been higher, and the battle for control is far from over.
THE NATION
