Damagum: Likely Clash as PDP lawmakers Fume over pre-NEC Meeting
There is palpable tension in the house of representatives as lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are set to clash over move to pass vote of confidence on the party’s acting chairman, Umar Damagum, amid clamour for his resignation over non- performance and negation of zoning principle. A group of PDP lawmakers alongside stakeholders […]
There is palpable tension in the house of representatives as lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are set to clash over move to pass vote of confidence on the party’s acting chairman, Umar Damagum, amid clamour for his resignation over non- performance and negation of zoning principle.
A group of PDP lawmakers alongside stakeholders have been clamouring for reform of the party including the resignation of the acting chairman to enable North Central assume the position zoned to them and commencement of disciplinary action against those fighting the party.
However, there is a pro- Damagum PDP lawmakers led by the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda who are planning to pass a vote of confidence on the chairman despite his alleged role in the party’s misfortune.
It was gathered that a meeting of the PDP caucus will hold on Tuesday ahead of National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party on Thursday.
A notice of the meeting was signed by Chinda and Minority Whip, Hon.Ali Isah.
It reads: “All members of the PDP Caucus of the House of Representatives are hereby invited to a Pre-NEC meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at House Committee Room 301 at the National Assembly, Abuja. The meeting will commence by 11am unfailingly, and attendance is essentially compulsory.”
There are strong indications that the lawmakers may not come of the meeting united but divided as the seeming anti and pro- Damagum factions will not agree with the position of each other, hence a clash.
The move to give Damagum confidence vote despite non performance and lack of support in the party have polarised members against each other with majority of lawmakers fuming at such move as insensitive and move to rubbish the lawmakers and make them look like rubber stamp politicians that doesn’t know what is good for the party.
The meeting which will hold on Tuesday have created so much tension as one of the PDP caucus members who spoke on condition of anonymity said those pushing the continued incompetence in the PDP and keeping of officials who are working with APC will incur the wrath of party members and lawmakers who will not take Lilley such move most lawmakers describe as childish.
The group under the aegis of Opposition lawmakers coalition also demanded the resignation of the acting chairman of PDP, Damagum to pave way for a North central person to emerge as acting chairman of the party pending the conduct of convention as required by the party’s constitution.
The opposition lawmakers coalition at a press conference addressed by their Spokesperson and the member representing Ideato Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, said they cannot be in a political party where the activities of such party are determined by another political party.
“We call for immediate resignation of Umar Iliya Damagum as Ag National Chairman of PDP for anti-party activities and allow North central produce the acting chairman as clearly stated in the pdp constitution or watch us reconsider our membership of the party in the months ahead if the right thing is not done.
“The NEC of the Party should ensure that the list of party Caretaker Committees in Rivers State and all other 10 states tampered by Damagum and his APC friends are reversed and announced as originally agreed, that is by extension of the tenures of the outgoing leadership,” they demanded.