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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) has named Umar Iliya Damagum as the party’s acting national chairman.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja, on Tuesday.
Damagum’s appointment follows a Benue State High Court order restraining Ayu from parading himself as the party’s national chairman.
Until his appointment, Damagum was the PDP National Deputy Chairman (North).
According to Ologunagba, the decision to replace Ayu was taken after an emergency meeting of the NWC in Abuja, on Tuesday.
He said the embattled national chairman, Dr Iyiorchia Ayu, had earlier stepped aside in deference to a court order asking him to stop parading himself as national chairman.
“The NWC at an emergency meeting today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, acknowledge the Order of the Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023, with regards to the chairmanship position of our great Party.
“After careful consideration of the Court Order and in line with Section 45 (2) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), the NWC resolved that the Deputy National Chairman (North), His Excellency, Amb. Umar Ililya Damagum assumes the National Chairmanship of our party in an acting capacity with effect from today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of our great party to remain calm and united at this critical time,” Ologunagba said.
