PDP NEC Confirms Damagum As Substantive Chairman

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday confirmed Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum as the party’s substantive National Chairman, ending months of speculation about his status.

The confirmation took place at the party’s 102nd NEC meeting held at its national secretariat in Abuja, where Damagum formally took the oath of office administered by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, in accordance with the PDP constitution.

Damagum had been serving in an acting capacity since March 2023 following the suspension of the former chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, by a court order. Monday’s resolution formally regularises his leadership until the party’s National Elective Convention, scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, on 15 to 16 November 2025.

In his acceptance remarks, Damagum thanked the NEC for its confidence, describing the confirmation as a recognition of collective resilience. “This gesture is not just for me but for all of us. We came in at a very difficult time, but today we are still united as one party,” he said.

The PDP, which lost the 2023 presidential election after internal divisions, is seeking to reposition ahead of the 2027 polls.

Party insiders said Damagum’s confirmation was aimed at stabilising the leadership and avoiding further rancour.

Political observers note that with NEC also zoning the presidency to the South, the chairman’s confirmation consolidates the leadership framework as the party prepares for the November convention and subsequent electioneering.

Damagum, a former deputy national chairman (North), is expected to oversee the party’s preparations for the convention and ensure internal cohesion as the PDP strategises for 2027.