
List Of PDP National Chairman From 1999 Till Date
This is a list of National Chairmen of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria from its inception in 1998 to the present date:
No | Name | Tenure |
---|---|---|
1 | Alex Ekwueme | 1998 - 1999 |
2 | Solomon Lar | 1999 - 2001 |
3 | Barnabas Andyar Gemade | 2001 - 2005 |
4 | Audu Ogbeh | 2005 - 2006 |
5 | Ahmadu Ali | 2006 - 2008 |
6 | Vincent Eze Ogbulafor | 2008 - 2012 |
7 | Okwesilieze Nwodo | 2012 - 2014 |
8 | Haliru Mohammed Bello (Acting) | 2014 |
9 | Kawu Baraje (Acting) | 2014 - 2015 |
10 | Bamanga Tukur | 2015 - 2016 |
11 | Adamu Mu'azu | 2016 - 2017 |
12 | Uche Secondus (Acting) | 2017 |
13 | Ali Modu Sheriff | 2017 - 2018 |
14 | Ahmed Makarfi (Acting) | 2018 - 2021 |
15 | Uche Secondus | 2021 - 2023 |
16 | Iyorchia Ayu | 2021 - March 2023 |
17 | Amb. Iliya Umar Damagun (Acting) | March 2023 - Present |
Who Was The First National Chairman Of The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)?
The first National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was Alex Ekwueme. Alex Ekwueme, born on October 21, 1932, in Oko, Anambra State was a prominent Nigerian politician, architect, and lawyer.
He became widely known for his contributions to Nigeria’s political development and his part in the return of democracy.
Ekwueme was Nigeria’s first elected Vice President from 1979 to 1983 under President Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic.
During the military rule of General Sani Abacha, he showed great courage, helping to create the G-34 group. This group stood up against the dictatorship and strived for a return to democratic governance.
When democracy was restored in 1999, Ekwueme became one of the founding members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), one of the leading political parties in Nigeria.
He was the party’s first National Chairman and later became the chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees. At the 1995 National Constitutional Conference, he proposed the idea of dividing Nigeria into six geopolitical zones to ensure equal representation and balance of power.
This idea is still a key part of Nigerian politics today. Apart from politics, Alex Ekwueme was also a successful architect and philanthropist.
He supported education through scholarships and contributed to community development. Sadly, he passed away on November 19, 2017, at the age of 85.
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Who Is The Current National Chairman Of The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)?
The current National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is Ambassador Iliya Umar Damagum. He is currently serving in an acting capacity.
Damagum was appointed acting chairman on March 28, 2023, after the suspension of the former chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
Ayu’s suspension was based on accusations of anti-party activities. However, before now, Damagum was the Deputy National Chairman (North).
His appointment followed the party’s constitution and a court ruling that supported his leadership at that time. However, the leadership situation within the PDP has been unstable.
On October 11, 2024, another faction of the party announced the appointment of Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the acting National Chairman.
This happened after Damagum was suspended by a different faction within the party. The internal disagreements and leadership struggles have caused confusion and uncertainty about who leads the PDP.
However, a Federal High Court ruling has been trying to stabilize the situation. The court ordered that the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees should not recognize anyone else as the party’s National Chairman except for Damagum.
This ruling will stay in effect until the party holds a national convention in December 2025, where a leadership decision will be made.
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Who Is The Current Deputy National Chairman Of The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)?
The Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja. He serves as the Deputy National Chairman for the South.
Ambassador Arapaja was elected as the Deputy National Chairman (South) at the party’s national convention in October 2021.
This election was part of a plan to refresh the leadership of the PDP and at the time, Iyorchia Ayu was the National Chairman.