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.