PDP Crisis: 11 key facts about PDP's Acting Chairman, Iliya Umar Damagum

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced Iliya Umar Damagum as the new acting chairman of the party amid fierce internal wrangling.

The appointment of Damagum was announced by Debo Ologunagba, the publicity secretary of the party on Tuesday, March 28.

This follows an injunction placed on the National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu from a High Court in Benue State that restrained him from parading himself as the leader of the party.

Damagum will replace Ayu until the party holds another national convention and elect a new chairman.

Ayu was suspended by his ward executives in Benue state over allegations of anti-party activities and non-payment of dues.

Background of the PDP acting national chairman

1) Before his appointment, Damagum was the deputy national chairman of the PDP (North).

2) The Yobe politician was born on August 10, 1963, in Damagum, presently the Fune local government area of the state.

3) He attended Damagum Central Primary School from 1971-1977.

4) The 60-year-old then moved to Government College Maiduguri in Borno state, where he finished in 1982.

5) Umar holds a Bachelor of Art Education degree from the University of Maiduguri, where he graduated in 1986.

6) In 1996, he obtained a post-graduate diploma in management and later studied business administration at the master's level at the same university and graduated in 2004.

7) Damagum loves engaging in intellectual conversations and is married with kids. The new acting PDP national chairman was a former Nigerian Ambassador To Romania (2004 – 2007).

8) Damagum served as Financial Secretary of the PDP in Yobe State (1998-2000).

9) He was also the Yobe State PDP Secretary, Director General Yobe State Gubernatorial Campaign and Election (2011).

10) He was a former chairman of Adamawa State PDP (Caretaker-2012).

11) He acted as secretary of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee (2013).