The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the party.
The decision was taken on Monday, August 25, 2025, at the party’s 102nd NEC meeting held in Abuja. The confirmation, according to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, was in recognition of the efforts of the National Working Committee (NWC) under Damagum’s leadership in stabilising the party.
The NEC session was briefly suspended to allow the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, to administer the oath of office.
In his acceptance speech, Damagum expressed gratitude to members of the NWC for their support and to NEC for acknowledging his contributions toward repositioning the party.
“I appreciate my colleagues in the NWC who made the task easier, and I also thank NEC members for their confidence in me. Together, we will continue to strengthen and reposition our great party,” he said.
Damagum first assumed leadership in March 2023 as Acting National Chairman following the suspension of former chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu — a decision that was later upheld by the courts. Before then, he had served as the PDP Deputy National Chairman (North).
The NEC communiqué formally stated:
“NEC hereby ratifies and confirms the appointment of Umar Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the party with effect from today, Monday, August 25, 2025, until the National Convention holding at Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on November 15 and 16, 2025.”
