Indications have emerged that the deputy National Chairman (North) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Iliya Damagum may remain in office as Acting national chairman of the party to see off the tenure of the removed chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.
Sources within the party told the Nigerian Tribune that Damagum may retain the seat owing to the decision by a former President of the Senate, David Mark to opt not to seek the office of the national chairman during the rescheduled National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party on November 28.
Party insiders told the Nigerian Tribune that a good number of the party’s stakeholders were banking on Mark to take up the position following representations to him by stakeholders at the topmost echelon of the party to that effect.
Investigations confirmed that while Mark was a little disposed to playing the role of a national chairman, he was not comfortable with staying only ten months in the office, since Ayu’s tenure is due to expire in December 2025.
The sources close to the PDP said on Sunday that contrary to reports that Mark may not take up the position of national chairman as a result of age issues, the former Senate President was willing to serve.
It was, however, gathered that he had confirmed to those who discussed with him that the 10-month period remaining on the tenure of Ayu was too short for him to make an impact.
“The former Senate President did not turn down the task of leading the party. His position is that the tenure of Dr Iyorchia Ayu only remains 10 months because the national convention would hold around October next year. That period is shot for a person of his calibre to make an impact and he doesn’t want to hold an office just for the sake of occupying space,” a source said, adding that if the former Senate helmsman would serve in the position at all, he would prefer to have a proper term of office that would enable him make a mark.
It was gathered that the plot to draft Mark to complete the remainder of Ayu’s tenure could shortchange the North-Central, which could lose that position next year.
A source, however, said that the zone can still make a case for the position if Damagum is allowed to complete the tenure as it is.
“It might work in line with the agenda of some stakeholders to have a North Central candidate come in to only complete the remaining ten months left on Ayu’s tenure, but the former Senate President is not one to fall for that agenda,” another source said, adding that Mark and other stakeholders from the zone have agreed that rather than merely finish Ayu’s term and have the position zoned to another part of the country.
With the development as it is, Damagum, who hails from the North-East could just continue in office to complete Ayu’s tenure, another source stated.
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