Four governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are backing the embattled acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum to continue in his role while two of the governors remain neutral.

The largest opposition party has been having batted fierce division before the presidenatial election in 2023. The disagreement with the leadership of the party led to the formation of the Intergrity Group.

Speaking about the fracas that has weakened the party, a senior member of the PDP National Working Committee, who spoke anonymously to The PUNCH, revealed that, in addition to the backing of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Damagum has the support of some other governors from the party.

He identified the four governors as Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State; Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State; and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State.

According to the source, while the Enugu and Zamfara state governors, Peter Mbah and Dauda Lawal, respectively, are neutral, the remaining seven PDP governors are pushing to oust Damagum.

The governors who seek the dismissal of Damagum are Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri; Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno.

They are led by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.

The source noted, “Oyo State Governor Makinde leads three other governors who are friends of Wike, and they are backing Damagum to continue in his acting role.”

Since assuming the role of acting National Chairman after Senator Iyorchia Ayu was sacked by a court, Damagum has faced increasing blame from party leaders for the ongoing crisis in the PDP, with calls for his resignation.

The situation escalated when Damagum and other NWC members aligned with Wike to secure approval for the controversial Rivers State PDP Congresses and postponed the National Executive Committee meeting from September 26 to October 24, The Punch reports.

Tensions between Wike and the current Rivers State Governor heightened on August 24, following public backing for Fubara from PDP governors who called for a review of the Rivers State Congresses and reaffirmed Fubara’s leadership.

Wike responded aggressively on August 31, threatening to disrupt activities in the governors’ states if they continued to interfere in Rivers State matters.

In turn, the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, condemned Wike’s threat as irresponsible on September 3.

Wike maintained his position, stating he would not withdraw his threat regarding actions in PDP states.

While hosting five NWC members in Bauchi, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum dismissed Wike’s threat and indicated that the North Central region would propose Damagum’s successor.