In the latest development within the ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Senator Dino Melaye has clarified that the party’s embattled National Chairman, Umar Damagum, was suspended, not sacked, as widely believed. According to Melaye, the decision was made in compliance with a court order and reflects the PDP’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Dino Melaye, the former senator representing Kogi West, made this clarification through a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Saturday, October 12, 2024. He emphasized that the party acted lawfully and that the suspension was necessary to resolve ongoing internal crises within the PDP.
In his post, Melaye underscored the fact that the PDP did not sack Damagum, as some reports had suggested. Instead, the party complied with the court order that instructed the party not to remove him from his position as acting National Chairman.
“In compliance with the court order, not to sack Damagum, he has been suspended and not sacked,” Melaye explained. “We have obeyed the court order because PDP is a law-abiding party.”
He further expressed optimism that this decision would help in resolving the crisis facing the party. “The suspension will aid in the resolution of the crisis in our party,” he added.
This development comes amid mounting tensions within the PDP, a party that has faced multiple internal battles over leadership and direction in recent months. With elections on the horizon and the party’s influence in Nigeria’s political landscape on the line, resolving these internal conflicts has become a priority for party leaders.
The suspension of Umar Damagum is the latest chapter in a prolonged crisis that has been plaguing the PDP. Damagum, who was serving as the party’s acting National Chairman, alongside two other high-ranking officials – National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade – was suspended by a faction within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
This factional dispute has led to widespread confusion within the party, as different camps within the PDP have taken conflicting stances on how the party’s affairs should be managed.
Adding to the chaos, the Federal High Court in Abuja intervened, issuing a restraining order that prevents the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) from removing Damagum as National Chairman. The court order further specifies that no other individual should be recognized as the PDP’s chairman until the party holds its national convention, which is scheduled for December 2025.
This legal intervention is seen as a crucial factor in the decision to suspend Damagum rather than sack him outright.
The Federal High Court’s decision to protect Damagum from being completely ousted has raised legal and political questions about the ongoing power struggle within the PDP. According to the court’s ruling, the acting National Chairman must remain in office until the party’s next national convention, effectively blocking any other individual from assuming the leadership role before that time.
This court ruling has far-reaching consequences, as it highlights the extent to which the judiciary is now playing a role in the internal dynamics of one of Nigeria’s largest political parties. The PDP, once a dominant force in the country’s political arena, has faced significant challenges in recent years, including leadership disputes, defections, and declining electoral fortunes.
For now, Damagum’s suspension, in line with the court’s ruling, is seen as a temporary measure. However, it leaves room for further uncertainty about how the party will navigate its leadership crisis ahead of crucial elections in the coming years.
Political analysts have weighed in on the suspension of Damagum, with many viewing it as an attempt by the party’s leadership to restore stability. With different factions pulling in opposite directions, the suspension is seen as a way to manage the fallout from the leadership dispute while ensuring that the PDP does not completely fracture before the 2025 elections.
The leadership tussle involving Umar Damagum is just one of several internal struggles that have shaken the PDP in recent years. Factionalism, power struggles, and defections have become recurrent issues for the party. Prominent figures within the party have either clashed over leadership positions or left to join rival political parties, further weakening the PDP’s cohesion.
For example, earlier in 2023, former PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar openly criticized the party’s leadership after a controversial primary election process. Several other top members of the party have also expressed dissatisfaction with how the party’s internal affairs are being managed, leading to divisions that could jeopardize the party’s chances in future elections.
While the suspension of Damagum may be an attempt to placate some factions, it remains to be seen whether this move will be enough to bring lasting peace to the PDP.
