Atiku Suffers Setback as Adamawa PDP Backs Damagun For National Chairman

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s chances at being the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2027 presidential flagbearer appear to be getting thinner as his home state of Adamawa has thrown its weight behind Umar Damangun, the embattled acting national chairman of the party.

It is understood that Atiku, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, has been vocal in opposing the appointment of another North-East candidate to the party’s national chairmanship. Despite this, his own state chapter of the PDP, along with key figures in the region, have rallied behind Damangun.

During a press briefing in Yola on Wednesday, Abubakar Shehu, the Adamawa State PDP chairman, declared support for Damangun. According to Shehu, the state chapter is fully aligned with Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and other PDP governors who have endorsed Damangun to complete the tenure of ousted chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

Shehu pointed to the party’s constitution as the guiding principle behind their stance. Citing Section 47(6) of the PDP Constitution, Shehu explained that in the event of a vacancy, the office must be filled by someone from the same zone or region as the outgoing officer. With Ayu hailing from the Northeast, Damangun, currently the deputy national chairman for the northern zone, is seen as the rightful successor.

“The former national chairman is from the Northeast, and therefore, Sen. Umar Ilya Damangun is the most qualified candidate to serve out the remainder of the term,” Shehu said.

Sources close to the party’s inner workings suggest that Governor Nyesom Wike and his allies are orchestrating moves to limit Atiku’s influence ahead of the 2027 election. Wike’s camp is believed to be advocating for a leadership structure that would hinder Atiku’s potential candidacy and pave the way for a smoother re-election campaign for President Bola Tinubu.