Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Umar Damagum has vowed not to allow critics of his leadership style to intimidate him into abdicating his responsibilities.
Damagum said this in response to Chief Edwin Clerk, and a former Party Spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, who both criticized his handling of the party’s affairs in Rivers State and allegations of anti-party activities levelled against Chief Nyesom Wike.
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.
The elder statesman was particularly miffed that despite Wike’s alleged anti-party activities, the PDP Ag. National Chairman hasn’t dared to take disciplinary action against the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
On his part, a former National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, had in a television interview on Arise Television, last week, urged members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), to pass a vote of no confidence on Damagum, over his handling the Rivers case.
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Damagum, while inaugurating the PDP’s National Disciplinary and Reconciliation committees, took time to respond to them.
To Chief Clark, Damagum said, “I want to use this opportunity also to address a letter from our elder statesman that has been brought to my attention. I don’t intend to speak much on it.
“I will borrow Olisa Metuh’s remarks from 2015 when Edwin Clark, left the party. There’s no doubt that he is an elder statesman.
“But I thought that when you reach that age, God has given you the opportunity and wisdom to be a father to all, not to engage in public arguments.
“He has all it takes to do the needful, not by taking a sentimental approach to the situation. I was not raised to be disrespectful to elders, so I don’t intend to dwell on this further.
Responding to Ologbodiyan and other critics, the party chairman said, “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 governance.
“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, bringing development to the people, and we stand out.
“So, sometimes I feel sad. I also want to use this opportunity to clear certain insinuations that have been trending on social media.
“Last I checked, the signatories of this party are the chairman and the secretary. Just because the chairman and secretary signed a letter, it has become an issue. People are making all sorts of insinuations about it. I don’t want to engage with the other person—it’s a distraction.
“But it pains me when I see someone who knows the workings of the NWC going on television to mislead the audience and say things that are not correct. It is painful. Very, very painful.
“There is precedent for what we did. During Kashamu’s case, the chairman and secretary brought it to the Supreme Court. There was also the issue of Anambra.
“Two issues arose. The chairman and secretary, in any situation, work as a team. I don’t make decisions without consulting my members.”
Earlier, while inaugurating the Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees, explained that the two committees were being inaugurated at the same time to save time.
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 we 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.
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.”
