The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday officially confirmed Ambassador Umaru Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the party. The decision was made at the PDP’s 2025 Elective National Convention, held at the main bowl of the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The motion for Damagum’s confirmation was moved by the Chairman of the PDP in Edo State, Hon. Tony Abineri, speaking on behalf of about 3,000 accredited delegates who attended the convention. The motion was seconded by Edward Marshal and was said to be fully in line with Section 32 of the PDP Constitution, as amended.
While moving the motion, Abineri stated clearly that the decision was a constitutional step aimed at stabilising the party and ensuring strong leadership ahead of important political engagements. “I move the motion for the ratification of Ambassador Umaru Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the party. This is in accordance with Section 32 of the Constitution of the PDP as amended,” he said.
The confirmation brings to an end months of uncertainty within the party’s national leadership. Damagum had been serving as Acting National Chairman following the suspension of the former chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, in 2023. Since then, he has overseen several reforms and attempted to balance the interests of different factions within the party.
Ambassador Umaru Damagum, a diplomat and long-time PDP member from Yobe State, has played significant roles in the party’s national structure for many years. Before becoming acting chairman, he served as the Deputy National Chairman (North) of the PDP, a position that placed him at the centre of decision-making during some of the party’s most challenging moments.
His period as acting chairman came at a time when the PDP struggled with internal divisions, especially after the 2023 general elections. The party lost the presidential election and several key states, leading to increased tension among party leaders and supporters. During this period, Damagum was seen as a stabilising figure who tried to bring warring factions together.
Under his leadership, the party also began early preparations for the 2027 general elections, launching reconciliation efforts in several states and initiating meetings aimed at rebuilding trust within the party.
The 2025 convention in Ibadan is widely seen as an important step toward repositioning the PDP as a strong opposition force. Delegates from across the country gathered to elect new national officers, discuss internal issues, and take decisions affecting the party’s future.
The unanimous ratification of Damagum is viewed by many members as a sign that the party wants a stable leadership team as it works to strengthen its national spread. Party stakeholders at the convention said the decision shows a collective commitment to rebuilding the party and avoiding the leadership crises that weakened it in recent years.
With his confirmation now settled, Damagum is expected to focus on uniting the party ahead of upcoming governorship elections and the 2027 general elections. His main tasks will include strengthening state chapters, resolving disputes, attracting new supporters, and building a clear strategy for national campaigns.
He is also expected to work closely with the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) members to rebuild party structures across all 36 states. Many delegates at the convention expressed hope that his leadership will bring discipline, stability, and renewed confidence to the PDP.
For Damagum, the job ahead is not an easy one. The PDP still faces internal disagreements in several states, while the challenge of competing against the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), remains significant. However, many party leaders believe that Damagum’s calm and inclusive style gives him a strong chance of reuniting the PDP and preparing it for a stronger showing in 2027.
