The leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shows no signs of abating, as efforts to replace Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum remain mired in setbacks, primarily due to repeated postponements of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings.

For the umpteenth time, the party deferred its much-anticipated NEC meeting scheduled for Friday. The meeting was meant to address internal disputes and appoint a substantive National Chairman to complete the suspended Iyorchia Ayu’s tenure. This delay has frustrated party members, some of whom accuse the current leadership of intentionally stalling to prolong Damagum’s tenure.

A String of Postponements
At its 98th NEC meeting on April 18, the PDP resolved to address outstanding issues by August 15. However, that deadline was shifted to October 24, then further postponed to November 28. Party officials explained that the most recent delay was to prioritize unity ahead of the Ondo gubernatorial elections, where they hoped to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The postponements continued, with PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu announcing an indefinite delay on Friday, citing the funeral of Akwa Ibom State’s late First Lady, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, as the reason. However, insiders and stakeholders see this as a deliberate ploy to allow Damagum to remain in office until the party’s next national convention.

Accusations and Divisions
The delay has sparked discontent within the party. Critics, including representatives from the North Central zone, argue that the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) is disregarding the PDP constitution by failing to replace him with someone from their region. Former PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan described the situation as a “disrespect for constitutional order” and urged the party to respect regional balance by appointing a North Central member to complete Ayu’s tenure.

Meanwhile, allegations of anti-party activities have further fueled tensions. PDP lawmaker Ikenga Ugochinyere accused Damagum and Anyanwu of secretly meeting with APC officials, claiming their actions signal an effort to collapse the PDP into the ruling party. He called for their immediate removal, warning of “irreparable doom” if the leadership crisis persists.

Governors’ Roles and 2027 Ambitions
The crisis has been exacerbated by conflicting ambitions among PDP governors, with some allegedly prioritizing their aspirations for the 2027 presidential and vice-presidential elections over the party’s immediate stability. A party chieftain, Austin Okai, criticized the governors for failing to act decisively, noting that many are playing “double standards.” He claimed that Damagum and other key NWC members are no longer functioning effectively, further eroding the party’s relevance.

Okai also alleged interference from the APC, accusing some PDP governors of aligning with the ruling party to destabilize opposition parties, including the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). He urged the governors to “stop the politics for 2027 and fix the party first.”

Governors’ Forum Steps In
In an attempt to break the deadlock, the PDP Governors’ Forum issued a statement advising the NWC to convene the NEC by February 2025. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the Forum, stressed the need for urgent consultations and a timeline of activities to resolve the leadership crisis and pending litigations.

While the party remains embroiled in internal strife, its ability to position itself as a credible opposition to the APC continues to dwindle, raising questions about its future viability.