As the October 24th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP approaches, efforts to replace the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, have intensified in the North Central zone.
Sources indicate that PDP stakeholders from North Central convened in Abuja last week to discuss potential candidates who could succeed Damagum and complete the tenure of the suspended National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.
The party has faced turmoil since the presidential primary that nominated Atiku Abubakar as its candidate. This internal conflict resulted in the PDP’s defeat to the APC, Ayu’s suspension, and Damagum’s ascension to acting chairman.
During an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, one of the aspirants for the chairmanship, Engineer Conrad Utaan, stressed the necessity of a fresh start if the PDP aims to reclaim victory over the APC in 2027. Utaan, who hails from the same North Central zone as Ayu, believes the party needs new ideas and invigorated energy to revitalize its standing.
While acknowledging the constitutional nature of Damagum’s position as acting chairman, Utaan contended that it is inequitable for the North East to occupy both the Deputy National Chairman and National Chairman roles, leaving the North Central zone without representation.
Utaan asserted that his discussions with the Zonal Executive Committee of North Central have positioned him as the leading candidate for the chairmanship. He also argued that the principles of zoning and micro-zoning within the party favour his unopposed candidacy, as Benue State’s Zone B deserves representation.
At 47, Utaan highlighted that his youth and vitality will enable the PDP to engage with the country’s largest voting demographic—those aged 18 to 50, who constitute over 72% of the electorate.
In a show of unity, the chairmen of the PDP in the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State have unanimously endorsed Utaan as the sole nominee to succeed Ayu as the National Chairman.
During a press conference on Wednesday in Makurdi, the LGA chairmen publicly declared their collective support for Utaan, underscoring that their decision reflects a commitment to uphold the party’s laws above individual or group interests.
Terseer Godwin Adigoh, the PDP Chairman of Kastina-Ala, presented a statement on behalf of his colleagues, stating their determination to restore the PDP’s status as the most viable political party in Nigeria, particularly in Benue State.
