PDP Appoints Iliya Damagum As Acting National Chairman

The People’s Democratic Party(PDP) national working committee has appointed Iliya Umar Damagum as the acting national chairman.

The spokesperson of the party, Debo Ologunagba made this at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

Until his appointment, Damagum was the PDP national deputy chairman(North)

His appointment is coming on the heels of the high court order restraining Iyorchia Ayu from parading himself as the party’s national chairman.

He said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the NWC, adding that the appointment is with immediate effect.

“After a careful consideration of the court order and in line with section 45 (2) of the constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), the NWC resolved that the deputy national chairman (north), his excellency, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum assumes the national chairmanship of our party in acting capacity,” he said.

“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of our great party to remain calm and united at this critical time.“

The call for Ayu resignation has been on since the party presidential primary last year.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state and other four governors, dubbed as G-5 have been asking for the sack of Ayu saying it is against the party constitution to have a presidential and national chairman from the same region.

On Sunday, the PDP in Benue state passed no vote of confidence on Ayu and subsequently suspended him.

The suspension letter dated March 24 was signed by 12 executive members of Igvorov ward, Gboko LGA of Benue.

Reacting to the suspension on Monday, Ayu said the members were illiterates and that is only the National Executive Committee(NEC) of the party that has the power to suspend him.

On Tuesday, a high court in Benue granted an interim order restraining him from functioning as the party’s chairman.