The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has cautioned the party’s state chairmen against acts of disloyalty and betrayal.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during a meeting with the Forum of State PDP Chairmen, Damagum warned that treachery against the party would have consequences.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on our colleagues that the devil is using to see wisdom in casting the devil in them, because treachery—especially to an institution that has made you what you are today—will not heal,” he said.
“You may be lucky now, but there is the law of karma. What goes around comes around. It is not too late to see the need to do justice to this party that has given you all. Sometimes, when I resort to God’s ways, people think it is weakness.
“We exist because God exists. We owe everything we do to Him. He is watching us and will judge us by our behaviour. I will leave it at that. They say a word is enough for the wise.”
Damagum dismissed claims that the PDP has lost relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“People are saying the PDP is dead. Today, in Nigeria, the story is about the PDP. You don’t tell a story of something that does not exist,” he stated.
“This is an attestation that the PDP is alive and ready. The PDP remains a vehicle that knows how to navigate internal challenges and also address the problems bedevilling our country.”
He also warned the federal government against harassing opposition figures.
“This country belongs to all of us. We are law-abiding citizens and will continue to pursue our dreams lawfully,” Damagum said.
“We will not be intimidated by anyone who feels that, because God has given him the opportunity, he can behave the way he likes. It is a temporary one. And one day, everyone who does what is not right will be at the front.”
The Forum of State Chairmen, in response, pledged loyalty to the party and reaffirmed their commitment to the forthcoming national convention slated for November 15.
The leadership tussle within the PDP has recently escalated, with two factions vying for the national chairmanship.
On Saturday, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), led by Damagum, suspended the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and the National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature, over alleged anti-party activities.
PDP spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, who announced the suspension, said the decision followed an emergency NWC meeting in Abuja.
In a counter move, Anyanwu’s faction, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced the suspension of Damagum, Ologunagba, Taofeek Arapaja (Deputy National Chairman, South), Daniel Woyenguikoro (National Financial Secretary), Sulaiman Kadade (National Youth Leader), and Setonji Koshoedo (Deputy National Secretary).
Anyanwu’s camp subsequently appointed Abdulrahman Mohammed as acting National Chairman, claiming the decision was necessary to restore order and legitimacy within the party’s national leadership.
Mohammed had on Monday declared himself PDP acting chairman at the party’s national secretariat.
