Why David Mark Is Considered for PDP National Chairmanship
Amid ongoing political maneuvering, former Senate President David Mark is being considered to emerge as the national chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). Party governors, key stakeholders, and other influential members have been urging Senator Mark to accept the position to stabilize the party before its national convention, where a new chairman will be elected.
Despite the pressure, Mark has expressed reluctance, citing the limited time available before the national convention. However, sources indicate that prominent figures, including a former president, a retired general, and a former defense minister, have reached out to him in an effort to convince him to accept the role temporarily.
Mark's Reservations
A PDP insider, speaking anonymously, confirmed that some stakeholders approached Mark to complete the North Central tenure following the dismissal of former chairman Sen. Iyorchia Ayu. According to the source, Mark highlighted two major concerns:
- The need to reconcile the party’s factions and stabilize internal divisions.
- The short time remaining in the tenure, which he felt would be insufficient to achieve significant change.
The insider further mentioned that while there were discussions between Mark and key figures, including meetings in Minna, the short duration of the remaining tenure remains a significant obstacle.
Uncertainty Over NEC Meeting
Concerns are also mounting over the scheduled National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, set for October 24. The stakeholder noted that the meeting might not take place, or it may only be convened to adjust timelines. He pointed out that the North Central zone, which has been seeking to complete its tenure, has yet to meet to propose a candidate to replace Ayu.
North Central’s Push to Complete Tenure
The North Central zone of the PDP has been advocating for the completion of its term following the court’s dismissal of Sen. Iyorchia Ayu. Meanwhile, Ambassador Umar Damagum, who has been serving as the acting national chairman, has refused to vacate the position. Damagum has reportedly sought legal action to prevent his removal, further complicating the leadership transition process.
This internal struggle has sparked controversy within the party at both state and national levels, with some accusing certain factions of attempting to destabilize the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
PDP Governors' Forum Denies Legal Action
In response to the internal tensions, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has denied involvement in any legal proceedings related to the NEC meeting. A recent claim suggested that the governor had filed a lawsuit in Zamfara State to compel the party to convene the NEC meeting, but these allegations have been strongly refuted.
In a statement issued by the Forum's Director-General, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, the governors' body clarified that Governor Bala Mohammed neither personally nor through any proxy filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Gusau.
Clarifying False Claims
The PDP Governors’ Forum emphasized that the claim of Governor Bala Mohammed’s involvement in the legal case is false and intended to mislead the public. The statement urged the party's supporters and the general public to disregard these baseless allegations, which were described as malicious attempts to tarnish the governor’s reputation.
“We wish to state that the publication is dubious, malicious, and intended to smear the character of Governor Bala Mohammed,” the statement concluded, reinforcing the governor’s denial of any connection to the purported legal action
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