The campaign by the former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam to become the national chairman of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) came to abrupt end as the National Working Committee (NCW) passed a vote of confidence on the current Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum.
The position of the NCW was made known in a statement today, April 17, by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba
He said that the NWC passed the vote of confidence on Damagum at the end of its 584th meeting at the party’s National Secretariat yesterday, April 16.
According to him, the PDP leaders took the decision in commendation of the efforts and commitment by Damagum to stabilize and reposition the party as the main opposition in Nigeria.
Ologunagba said that the Deputy National Chairman (South), 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, Yayari Mohammed.
“The NWC assures of its commitment in ensuring the continued stability, growth and success of our great party at all time.”
Some leaders of the party in the North Central geo-political zone, had endorsed Senator Suswam for the position of national chairman of the party.
The leaders on the aegis of ‘Platform of North Central PDP Stakeholders Forum’ announced the endorsement of Suswam at the end of their meeting, which took place at Ibeto Grand Hotel, Abuja.
The meeting attended by prominent political leaders and stakeholders, including former and serving members of the State and National Assembly, former ministers, appointees and party leaders, women, youths, and observers from the zone, expressed the desire for the need for the party to allow the zone complete the tenure of the suspended National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.
The position of the North Central stakeholders was confirmed by a former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, when he featured on Arise Television programme.
He said that the zone wanted to complete its tenure following the suspension of Ayu, adding also that the PDP did not have to wait for court litigation, stressing, too, that based on available information at his disposal, he did not think that Ayu was in court.
“I do not think the meeting on Thursday is going to be about ‘are we electing a leader or are we discussing leadership’? What the meeting is about, from what I am picking among leaders and among members, is would Damagun remain in office or will he be replaced?”
