In recent developments, a coalition of opposition lawmakers has leveled serious accusations against certain governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alongside 24 state party chairmen, asserting that they are engineering a scheme to maintain the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, in power until 2027. This claim was made during a press conference held in Akokwa, Imo State, where the opposition expressed their displeasure over the postponement of the crucial PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting that was anticipated to assess Damagum’s leadership position within the party. The lawmakers contend that this delay is a strategic move meant to further weaken the PDP by preventing a timely selection of a new chairman who should be sourced from the North Central region, as per the party’s arrangements.
The PDP Governors’ Forum recently convened in Jos, Plateau State, where they reached a unanimous decision in line with the National Working Committee to adjourn the NEC meeting to February 2025. This decision has been met with discontent from opposition lawmakers, who argue that it betrays the party’s foundational principles and further consolidates Damagum’s grip on power, hindering any prospects for effective leadership changes. Ikenga Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, articulated the sentiment of the lawmakers, emphasizing that the PDP has lost its vitality and is no longer fulfilling its role as a robust opposition party.
In Ugochinyere’s statements, he lamented the current state of the PDP, which he believes is now “a shadow of itself,” suggesting that it has been commandeered by self-serving politicians who seem more interested in serving the interests of the ruling party rather than those of the people. His criticism extends to both Damagum and Samuel Anyanwu, the party’s National Secretary, whom he accused of straying from the party’s core ideals. Ugochinyere’s concerns point to a significant deterioration within the PDP, highlighting the discomfort regarding its ability to confront Nigeria’s pressing economic and political challenges effectively.
Ugochinyere’s allegations further included the claim that there is a growing alliance between Damagum, Anyanwu, and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, a figure he suggests is undermining the PDP from within after his failure in the presidential primaries against Atiku Abubakar. He accused Damagum and Anyanwu of engaging in covert dealings with Wike, implying that their close ties jeopardize the integrity of the PDP and betray the trust placed in them by party supporters. The spokesperson’s narrative echoes a broader concern about loyalty and the overarching aim of preserving the party’s foundational goals amidst rising internal fractures.
Wike has been specifically targeted in these accusations, with Ugochinyere suggesting that he should formally join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) if he continues to act against the PDP’s interests. He described Wike and other defeated politicians, like Okezie Ikpeazu and Samuel Ortom, as individuals intent on dismantling the reputable heritage of the PDP established by its founding leaders. This assertion underscores a perceived urgency for recognized leaders within the PDP to reclaim its integrity and reinstate effective opposition strategies against the ruling government and its policies.
Lastly, Ugochinyere called for loyalty and commitment from governors who remain true to the PDP ethos while urging an end to the “political fraud” that he believes has infiltrated the party. He offered a warning to President Bola Tinubu regarding Wike’s unpredictable loyalty, alluding to a historical tendency for political figures to prioritize their own survival over collective commitment. In conclusion, the coalition of lawmakers’ stance reflects a growing call-to-action within the PDP, urging the party to reassess its direction and reaffirm its role as a credible opposition in Nigerian politics.
