The tension between Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has escalated ahead of the party's 98th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The key issue expected to dominate the meeting, scheduled for Thursday, April 18, is whether the party's acting Chairman, Umar Damagum, should retain his position or be replaced.
Damagum, a former PDP National Deputy Chairman (North), assumed the role of acting National Chairman following the court's suspension of Iyorchia Ayu, the party's National Chairman, in March last year. There are ongoing consultations within the North Central, which is expected to nominate a replacement for Damagum. The process is not an elective contest but rather an opportunity for individuals to come together and select someone to complete Ayu's tenure.
Despite being perceived as a competitive race, especially due to the influence wielded by the National Chairman of a party like the PDP, the selection process is expected to focus on discussions and consensus-building rather than a direct election. Various interests are at play, with some individuals favoring specific candidates while others may have different preferences. The aim is to reach a decision that satisfies the majority within the North Central.
The NEC meeting on the 18th is anticipated to address these issues decisively, considering the significant agitation within the North Central. It remains to be seen how the party will navigate these internal dynamics and choose a path forward that ensures unity and cohesion within its ranks.
