…As he inaugurates Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committee.
Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Umar Damagum has threatened to resist every attempt by other stakeholders in the party from serving the full length of his tenure.
Damagum further cautioned the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) Sen. Adolphus Wabara and Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro who has stated the opposition party is gravitating into extinction.
This is even as elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clerk said that PDP is on the path of self-destruction unless the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike is expelled.
Clark had accused Damagun of indulging Wike whom he accused of working with external influences to weaken the PDP to pave the way for the All Progressives Congress (APC), to continue in office.
But in his address while inaugurating the party’s National Disciplinary and Reconciliation committees, Damagum threatened that the “Damagum Must Go” campaign has even made him more popular and that he is even thinking of contesting for the President of the country.
He threatened that if he goes down then the PDP will also go down.
He said, “I always feel sad anytime our members go on national Television saying that the party is dying not mindful that the party has remained a party to beat in this country. It has gone into several crisis and till today, we are still standing.
“I don’t know, maybe it is the wish of some for the party to die.
“But honestly speaking, as a dedicated member of this party, you should always speak positively of your party.
“Yes, we may have various interests, but the party will outlive all of us. Some of our founding fathers have left us, but the party is still functioning.
“And I am proud to say that today in this country, the only development you see everywhere comes from our governors.
“If you go to any state governed by the PDP, you will see the difference. It has been inherent in us; we have remained a very people-oriented party, taking development to the people, and we stand out”.
Commenting on some of the issues trending lately on Social Media especially on the Rivers State court cases he continued,
“Last I checked, the signatories of this party are the chairman and the secretary.
“Just because the chairman and secretary has signed a letter, it has become an issue. People are making all sorts of insinuations about that. I don’t want to engage with the other person—it’s a distraction.
“But it pains me when I see somebody who knows the workings of the NWC going on television to mislead the audience and say things, that he knows that are not correct. It is painful. Very, very painful.
“There is precedent in what we did. During Kashamu’s case, the chairman and secretary brought it to the Supreme Court. There was also the issue of Anambra.
“The chairman and secretary, in any situation, work as a team. I don’t make decisions without consulting my members.
“Nobody is going to intimidate me to relegate my responsibilities but you can say all sorts of things. I know that this is the build up to the coming NEC. Damagum must go, Damagum must go. I thank God, people are making me popular lately. Any time you open social media, Television it is Damagum, Damagum. Honestly speaking I have started contemplating that it is high time I throw myself into the ring to also vie for the Presidency of this country because I have become popular even though negatively to bring me down but I am not deterred. I have a responsibility to this party, to keep it safe and stable. I intend to take all kinds of bashing as long as this party will be stable. But I have a point that I have to talk.
“I avoided talking because I know so many things but when I open my mouth, I know that it will not be palatable but that is the price of leadership.
“And for my detractors let me tell them, you will see more of that lately because I will not abdicate my responsibility but I will do it within the confines of law. So I am not deterred, you can run me down but importantly, why trying to run Damagum, you know that we have NEC, so those trying to run down Damagum, I know it is a build up before we have that NEC. But when you run Damagum down and you lose a party, because in trying to run me down, you are running down your party” he warned.
Damagum described the event as marking a significant milestone in the party’s journey towards healing, understanding, and growth.
According to him, the inauguration represents a bold step towards addressing the challenges that has divided the party and hindered its well-being.
He said, “We are all aware of the fallout of the primaries and the resultant effect it had on the outcome of the general elections across all states.
“The actions and inactions of some party members resulted in the current state of our party.
“This party has suffered a lot of damages resulting in the loss of the 2015, 2019, and 2023 general elections.
“However, the resilience of the party faithful has kept the party going and still a party to beat in the country.
“Since its inception, the party has evolved various mechanisms for addressing its internal conflicts.
“These include reconciliation, disciplinary measures, and other initiatives to embody fairness and equity. It is against this background that you have been selected to carry out this task.”
In his remarks, the party’s National Organizing Secretary, Capt. Umar Bature, said the decision to constitute the two committees was a sequel to a resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC), at its last meeting.
Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wagbara, in his remarks at the event appealed to members of the two
Committees to carry out their task without fear or favour so that the party will not die.
Wagbara said, “I sincerely urge the two committees to function without fear or favour, no matter whose ox is gored, and as much as our Constitution, the Constitution of this great party, guides whatever decisions or actions you will take.
“Failure of which, in my considered opinion, will lead to Nigeria becoming a one-party state. This is the beginning because without an opposition, there is no democracy.
“This party should not be allowed to die” Wabara cautioned.
Also in his goodwill message, Senate Minority leader, Sen. Abba Moro said that the two committees hold the lives of the party.
“This party is a voluntary organization but where ever we are today, as elected officials, as appointed officials on the platform of the party, it is the life of the party that is the foundation of whatever we are today. We must do everything that we can to sustain this party.
“Above all, it is very obvious that with the recent happening across the country, that all is not well in our system and our people must be provided with the alternative to give them the leadership of this country.
“It is my prayer that in 2017, with a formidable PDP, Nigeria will have an alternative”.
