Damagun’s Replacement: Don’t Be Enemy of North Central, PDP Group Cautions Gov Mutfwang

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Ahead of the rescheduled PDP National Executive Committee (NEC )meeting which comes up on 28th November, the north central zone of the party has cautioned Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Pleateau State not to play any role that will make him enemy of the north central zone against producing a replacement for acting national chairman, Amb. Iliya Damqgum.

The north central zone of the PDP is expected to produce Amb. Iliya Damagun’s replacement as acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.

In a statement on Sunday and signed by the Young Generation Congress (YGC) of the PDP, Hon. Caleb Istifanus, claimed that ”The story and information out there is that Governor Mutfwamg has refused to summon the North Central leadership meeting to enable the zone decide on a suitable replacement, but rather he led selected few of the stakeholders, especially NEC members from the zone to a meeting with a former governor from the South south to perfect their inordinate plans that the North Central has no candidate to replace Damagum.”

The PDP group said some of the highlights of their meeting was that the immediate past Senator from the party from the federal Capital Territory, Senator Phillip Aduda will become the North Central National Vice Chairman, explaining that these few will also promote an agenda at the NEC that North Central has no candidates to replace Damagun.

The statement said that some of the decisions reached at the meeting was that the North Central zone will rather wait to contest in 2025 national convention for the office of the National Chairman.

Accordingly, Caleb Istifanus said, ”We hope that Governor Mutfwang will not allow this plan to sail, because it amounts to selling your birthright away”

He said the future of the North central in the PDP was doomed if this should be allowed.

Istifanus, therefore said, ”In respect of this development, the PDP-YGC calls on all PDP leaders of the North-Central zone , the former Governors , Senators and every critical stakeholders to rise up to the occasion and challenge this slap on the face of the zone.

”Unfortunately, we have noticed a pattern where Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Pleateau State, being the only PDP governor from the North Central, continues to sabotage the efforts and sacrifices of other faithful party leaders and members in the zone.

”No doubt, the rescheduled meeting is generating huge concerns, apprehension and much anxiety amongst party members and Nigerians , for the right reasons.

”Many are apprehensive because the drama in the main opposition PDP has taken too long to end, and there is a sense of despondency on whether the anticipated NEC meeting will hold or not , and whether Damagun, the outgoing Acting National Chairman will vacate the seat for a replacement from the North Central as provided by the party’s constitution.

”It is the sole responsibility of the National Executive Committee to decide a replacement from the North Central.

”If the North Central fails to produce a worthy replacement, the Plateau State Governor Mutfwang should be blamed and held responsible.

”As the political leader of the zone by virtue of the office he currently occupies, the Plateau State governor owes it a duty to stand by the zone, as acting otherwise in support of an agent provocateur like the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, will be a disservice to the PDP and the North-Central members of the party.

”History beckons on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to stand by the PDP and not Wike who, certainly, will not be there for him tomorrow when the ashes begin to settle.

”Gov. Mutfwang should learn from the likes of Gabriel Ortom of Benue State who Wike manipulated until they became ruined politically.”, the PDP group said.

The PDP – Young Generation Congress therefore called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to act as a true party man and patriot who will not put the interest of one man above the party’s interest by ensuring that the North Central produces a worthy replacement as the national Chairman of the PDP from Benue State after Amb. Damagun steps down.