Umar Damagum Must Hand Over Chairmanship To North-Central To End PDP Crisis – Former Publicity Secretary, Ologbondiyan
A former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has asked the Acting National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Umar Ilyasu Damagum, and his supporters to respect the constitution of the party and stop actions detrimental to the party.
Ologbondiyan, who stressed that the stability of the PDP is essential for addressing Nigeria’s challenges, stated that the solution to resolving the lingering crisis within the party lies in adhering to the succession arrangements outlined in Section 47 (6) of the party’s Constitution (2017 Amendment).
Speaking to the North-Central stakeholders and youths in Abuja on Thursday, Ologbondiyan emphasised that respecting the party’s Constitution is the only viable pathway to addressing internal issues and positioning the PDP to play a key role in fixing Nigeria.
“Anything short of this will ultimately prove futile,” he asserted.
Ologbondiyan urged party leaders to prioritise the broader interests of the PDP and confront uncomfortable truths where necessary.
He criticised attempts to undermine or destabilise the party, reminding members that the PDP was established as a people-oriented organisation, not the property of any individual, regardless of their societal status.
According to Ologbondiyan, Damagum must respect the party’s constitutional framework, which reflects the collective will of its organs.
He further noted that the National Executive Committee (NEC) had resolved during its 98th meeting to address the demands of the North Central at the 99th meeting scheduled for August.
However, repeated postponements by the National Working Committee (NWC) have disrupted this process, undermining the party’s constitutional order.
Ologbondiyan called on PDP leaders to ensure the November 28 NEC meeting holds as planned, warning against further delays.
He stressed that the North Central region must not abandon its rightful demand for the National Chairmanship of the party, as doing so would be a betrayal of their legitimate expectations within the PDP.
He urged stakeholders to demand that Damagum return to his elected position as Deputy National Chairman (North) to restore order and avoid deepening lawlessness within the party.
“As long as Damagum continues to occupy the position meant for the North Central, efforts to fix the PDP will remain superficial and may cause further harm to the party,” Ologbondiyan concluded.
