The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a ruling that prohibits the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from ousting Umar Damagum from his role as Acting National Chairman.
Justice Peter Lifu ruled that until the party’s national convention set for December 2025, Damagum is the only individual recognized as the national chairman of the PDP.
The decision came during a judgment in a case brought by Senator Umar El-Gash Maina, who argued that certain party stakeholders were covertly attempting to remove Damagum in violation of the PDP’s constitution.
The judge noted that under Articles 42, 47, and 67 of the PDP constitution, only a national convention has the authority to elect national officers.
Justice Lifu emphasized that all PDP members are obligated to adhere to the party’s rules. Maina, who claims to lead the PDP in Yobe State, alleged that Phillip Salawu, a former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, was being considered as a replacement for Damagum.
Upon discovering these plans, Maina said he sent two letters to the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, detailing the clandestine meetings. He stated that despite receiving the letters, Anyanwu and BoT members failed to take appropriate action.
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Represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Joshua Musa, Maina sought the court’s intervention to enforce the PDP constitution against any moves to replace Damagum. He also requested that the court affirm that the chairmanship of the PDP alternates between the northern and southern regions, according to the party’s constitution.
After reviewing the PDP constitution and related evidence, Justice Lifu concurred with Maina that Damagum’s position could only be challenged at the national convention or through a court order. He noted that any attempt to disrupt the northern region’s ongoing four-year term without convening a national convention would violate the PDP constitution.
The judge dismissed the defendants’ claims that Maina lacked standing to file the suit, stating that he had sufficient interest in safeguarding the PDP constitution and that his membership in the party gave him justiciable grounds to bring the case.
Justice Lifu also confirmed that the PDP NEC and BoT must abide by the party’s constitution, asserting that Damagum can only be replaced during the national convention.
He affirmed that Damagum, appointed from the northern region—previously represented by former chairman Iyorcha Ayu—has the right to complete his tenure.
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