Ambassador Umar Damagum has officially been endorsed as the substantive National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following a unanimous approval by delegates at the party’s 2025 elective convention currently underway at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
His confirmation was triggered by a motion presented by Hon. Tony Abineri, Chairman of the Edo State PDP and head of the Forum of State Chairmen, who spoke on behalf of the more than 3,000 accredited delegates. The motion which received swift support from party chieftain Edward Marshal was anchored on Section 32 of the PDP Constitution (as amended), which outlines the procedure for validating party leadership.
While moving the motion, Abineri stated:“I hereby propose the confirmation of Ambassador Umaru Damagum as the duly constituted National Chairman of our great party, in line with the provisions of Section 32 of the PDP Constitution.”
In a dramatic push to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, the convention also sealed the expulsion of several prominent figures, including Nyesom Wike, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), former Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, among others.
The sweeping disciplinary action overwhelmingly approved by delegates signals the PDP’s renewed determination to stamp out disunity, enforce party discipline, and eliminate prolonged internal power struggles that have hindered its national influence in recent years.
Party insiders describe the move as a strategic reset aimed at rebuilding cohesion and public trust, positioning the PDP to mount a stronger challenge in the next electoral cycle.