Politics
Fintiri pledges support for PDP chair Damagum amid party division
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri yesterday pledged his support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.
The governor, who reflected on the division in the party over its interim leadership, reiterated his confidence in the ability of the acting chairman.
However, Osun State Governor Ademola urged chieftains to stick to the party constitution in whatever decision they may take on the PDP leadership question
Fintiri wrote on his X handle: “Solidly in support of Amb. Umar Damagum as National Chairman of @OfficialPDPNig! His leadership has restored public confidence, and we are confident he will steer the party to greater heights,”
He urged members to “respect the court ruling and uphold our democracy,” signaling his alignment with those favoring Damagum’s leadership.
Fintiri’s endorsement followed the split in thd PDP Governors’ Forum on whether to retain Damagum as the party chairman or shop for a replacement.
On Tuesday, a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) met with Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who expressed dissatisfaction with Damagum’s leadership.
Mohammed said the party should replace him, saying that his tenure “untenable.”
He said the Northcentral zone is constitutionally entitled to fill the leadership vacancy because the last chairman, who could not complete his tenure, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, is from the zone.
Mohammed said: “My brother from the Northeast is currently serving as Acting National Chairman, which is constitutionally inappropriate.”
The governor insisted that PDP should “ensure that the Northcentral is given the chance to assume this responsibility.”
However, at a separate NWC chaired by Damagum at Ibadan, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde backed the interim leadership.
He said: “Let me say clearly that we are 100 per cent in support of the Damagum-led NWC.”
Adeleke: let’s follow constitution
Adeleke has urged stakeholders to adhere to the party’s constitution in seeking solutions to the crisis.
He said in a statement by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, that on the party constitution he stood.
Adeleke said: “I stand by the constitution of our great party which clearly spelt out the succession procedure in case of the exit of an elected chairman.
“I also stand by the resolution of the PDP Governors’ Forum of which I am an integral part.”
He added: “Our party must adhere to its constitution at this critical time and at all times. That is the way to build a responsible political party.”
The Board of Trustees (BoT) members yesterday held a meeting with the PDP caucus in the National Assembly at the party secretariat in Abuja.
BoT Chairman.Adolphus Nwabara, Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and other members also met with Governor Mohammed in Bauchi.
Also at the meetings were Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Lere Oyewumi, House of Representatives Minority Whip, Ali Isa JC, and Pastor Ojema Ojotu.
A source said the advisory body organised the meeting to know the position of the National Assembly caucus on the crisis and obtain its advice.
The Labour Party (LP) has cautioned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against interfering in its affairs, insisting that the union has no authority to dictate the party’s direction or leadership.
The opposition party also dismissed the possibility of a merger with any political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.
“While the party is not considering a merger, it remains open to collaborations aimed at strengthening its position ahead of future elections,” Ifoh stated.
The statement was in response to the NLC’s call for a rebranding of the Labour Party, which included the possibility of a merger or coalition with like-minded parties.
Following its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, the NLC, in a communique signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, insisted that urgent steps must be taken to reclaim the party and restore its ideological foundation.
The NLC directed its National Administrative Council to initiate processes for a restructuring, coalition, or merger that would strengthen the interests of workers within the LP.
The Labour Party and the NLC remain at odds over the union’s refusal to recognize Julius Abure as the party’s National Chairman, despite his re-election at the LP convention in Anambra
The lingering dispute underscores ongoing power struggles within the party as it seeks to position itself ahead of the next election cycle.
A fresh crisis has engulfed the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) with the suspension of its governorship candidate in the November 16 off-cycle governorship election in Ondo state, Olugbenga Edema.
Mr Edema was suspended on Monday along with his running mate, Rotimi Adeyemi, and another party chieftain, Israel Ayeni, over alleged anti-party activities.
The three men were suspended from the party at a meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) held in Akure, the state capital.
Announcing their suspension during a press conference, the state chairman of the NNPP, Peter Olagookun, said Mr Edema and the other party chieftains were sanctioned for alleged anti-party activities.
Flanked by 12 other members of the SWC, Mr Olagookun said the men were also suspended for violating the party’s constitution.
“We, the State Working Committee of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Ondo State Chapter, hereby announce the indefinite suspension of the following party members: Hon. Olugbenga Edema, the governorship candidate in the just concluded Ondo State governorship election; Barrister Rotimi Adeyemi, the deputy governorship candidate; and Mr. Isreal Oluwatosin Ayeni,” he said.
The chairman added that the trio were suspended on two other grounds: “suing in the name of the party without recourse to the appropriate stakeholders at both the state and national levels, according to our party constitution.
“Suing the party without exhausting internal resolution mechanisms as provided by the party’s constitution, and involving in anti-party activities.”
Peoples Gazette could not immediately get Mr Edema’s reaction as of the time of this report.
However, one of his aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak, said his principal would respond appropriately to the suspension.
“We have read the suspension letter, but Oga (Edema) will react to it when he’s ready. I’m sure those who claimed they suspended him are just jesters. He gave NNPP a name in the state. How many people knew the party in the state before the election?” he told the Gazette.
Mr Edema lost the governorship election to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr. Olajide Adediran, popularly known as JANDOR, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The 2023 Lagos governorship candidate made the announcement on Monday during a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos.
While he did not disclose his next political move, JANDOR assured that he would make his intentions known in the coming months.
His departure from the PDP comes with the backing of his supporters across the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of Lagos State.
Details to follow…
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