Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are actively working behind the scenes to secure a soft landing for the embattled National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum. This initiative follows a truce brokered among feuding members of the National Working Committee (NWC) on Tuesday.
A high-ranking member of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), speaking on the condition of anonymity to avoid retribution, revealed, “Our governors are working seriously behind the scenes. After securing a ceasefire among feuding NWC members, they are now focused on ensuring our NEC meeting holds.”
Initially scheduled for October 24, the NEC meeting may be postponed to allow time for tensions to ease. According to the source, Bala Mohammed, the Chairman of the PDP-GF, confirmed that consultations are ongoing among party leaders.
The governors are reaching out to all parties involved in the leadership tussle to promote peace and end the media war. They are also exploring options for a soft landing for Damagum, possibly facilitating his return to his original position as Deputy National Chairman (North). Major party stakeholders are considering appointing a committed party member from the North Central region to stabilize the party ahead of the next elective convention.
However, subtle campaigns among potential contenders for the national chairmanship have already begun. Former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and businessman Conrad Utaan, both from Benue State, have been holding meetings to present themselves to party stakeholders.
Utaan, who comes from the same Senatorial District as former National Chairman Dr. Iyiorchia Ayu, expressed in an interview that the PDP needs youthful energy and fresh ideas to overcome past failures.