A group of opposition lawmakers has accused key figures in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), and several state chairmen, of collaborating to extend Damagum’s leadership until 2027, weakening the party in the process.
At a press conference in Akokwa, Imo State, spokesperson for the group, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, claimed that the strategy involved keeping Damagum in power while securing endorsements from PDP state chairmen for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign. Ugochinyere criticized the party’s leadership for becoming an “errand platform” for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that PDP national leaders were secretly meeting with APC leaders, even traveling to London for discussions.
He also accused Damagum and PDP National Secretary of frequenting the residence of Nyesom Wike, an APC minister, undermining the party’s opposition role while simultaneously delaying the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting that was meant to resolve the party’s leadership crisis. Despite earlier scheduling attempts in April and October, the NEC meeting has been postponed multiple times, fueling allegations of deliberate stalling to maintain Damagum’s hold on the chairmanship.
