PDP crisis worsens as Damagum disowns pro-Wike South-South congress

THE NATION

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took another dramatic turn on Thursday as the party’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, rejected the February 22 South-South congress that re-elected Chief Dan Orbih, a known loyalist of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. 

Speaking at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, Damagum declared that the congress was invalid, stating that the tenure of the zonal committee had expired.

“As far as this party is concerned, there was no congress or election in the South-South,” he said. He explained that a new caretaker committee was necessary ahead of the upcoming zonal congresses. 

Damagum’s stance directly contradicts the declaration by Vita Abba, Chairman of the electoral committee, who had earlier affirmed Orbih’s re-election with 174 votes. 

While inaugurating the new South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, Damagum warned its members against favoritism and bias.

He also criticised PDP members who publicly praised the All Progressives Congress (APC) government, asserting that the PDP remains strong and has a promising future.

Damagum spoke further: “I also want to use this opportunity to tell Nigerians that this party, the PDP, is still the party to beat, a party that has been tested for 27 years and all these shenanigans you see around, the APC and others have not been more than 10 years old.

The PDP is the guarantee for Nigerians to change the course of what is happening today in our country, I want to use this opportunity to caution our leaders, don’t fear them; nobody is going to change your destiny for you other than yourself…