ABUJA — The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially confirmed Umar Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the party, a position he will hold until the party’s elective national convention scheduled for November.
The confirmation was one of the key decisions reached at the ongoing 102nd NEC meeting on Thursday at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja.
Damagum was sworn in during the meeting by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, in line with Article 65 of the PDP Constitution.
The NEC decision comes less than three months before the party’s convention slated for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In his acceptance speech, Damagum thanked party leaders for their confidence in his leadership and that of the National Working Committee (NWC).
“Before now, I thought all we were doing was not being appreciated. This gesture is not just for me, but for the entire NWC. I owe it to them,” he said.
“To have navigated this party this far, we came in at a time when things were very hard, but to the glory of God, we are still intact as one indivisible party,” Damagum added.
Damagum first assumed the role of acting national chairman on March 28, 2023, following a Benue State High Court order that removed former Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu. At the time, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced his appointment in line with Section 45(2) of the party’s constitution (as amended in 2017).
Before then, Damagum had served as the PDP Deputy National Chairman.
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