The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria’s Northeast zone has officially endorsed Umar Iliya Damagum to continue as the acting National Chairman of the party. This decision was announced in a statement released by Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, on Thursday.
The endorsement comes at a time of internal party disagreements, with some members advocating for Damagum’s removal to allow the Northcentral zone to appoint a permanent National Chairman. Despite this, Fintiri, speaking on behalf of the PDP branches in Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Borno, and Yobe states, reaffirmed their confidence in Damagum’s leadership.
Citing a Federal High Court order, the statement emphasized that the PDP is legally restrained from removing Damagum from his position, urging members to respect the court ruling.
Governor Fintiri praised Damagum for strengthening public confidence in the PDP since assuming leadership and highlighted the party’s unprecedented performance in the Northeast during the 2023 elections. The governor also emphasized that the region, based on its electoral success, deserves to retain the National Chairman’s position more than any other section in the North.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had previously issued a restraining order preventing the PDP and its affiliates from appointing or nominating a new chairman to replace Damagum until further notice.
