Damagum Speaks On PDP NEC

Senator Abba Moro, who represents Benue South Senatorial District, has stated that the continued leadership of Umar Damagum as the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party is not about any individual’s victory or defeat, but a decision made collectively by stakeholders to advance the party’s interests.

Despite calls for his resignation, Damagum’s retention has been interpreted by some as a victory for Nyesom Wike, former governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and a setback for Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, according to speculations.

Senator Moro pointed out that it would be unfair to solely attribute all of PDP’s actions to Atiku and Wike, as the party consists of a diverse group of members with different perspectives and motivations. He emphasized the importance of focusing on strengthening the PDP as a viable alternative for Nigerians, especially during these challenging times.

He said, “The constitution of our party is very clear on who is a member and who is not a member of the caucus of the party and I dare say, at this point, that as a former governor who is still a member of the party, Nyesom Wike is a member of the National Caucus of the party.

“If actions had been taken immediately after the elections and people who are perceived to have acted contrary to the desires and yearnings of the PDP have been sanctioned, then we can say that having been expelled or suspended, you can’t be here, but as it is, non of such actions have been taken, so you can’t just ban people from attending meetings.”

He also said, “One of the fallouts of the last NEC meeting was the resuscitation of the Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee, which is saddled with the responsibility of identifying the area of antiparty and the dramatis personae involved in the activities, and recommended appropriate punitive measures against those who have been found guilty to serve as a deterrent to future occurrence.

“Unfortunately, that hasn’t been done, and so to that extent, as a voluntary organization, if the members involved insist they are still members of the party until actions are taken by the Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee we want to take that they are still members of the party.”

The Senate Minority Leader spoke about the upcoming NEC meeting on August 15 and what it means for the party’s National Chairman position. According to the Senator, the party’s constitution has a clear plan for succession.

He said, “We cannot translate the entirety of PDP’s activities and inactivities to Wike and Atiku, out of millions of other members of the party across the country who also have their own thinking and reasons for being in the party.

“The whole issue was not about Wike or Atiku, or victory for Wike or defeat for Atiku, the issue was existential.

“We came together and reasoned together, that in the present scenario where Nigerians are hurting due to the maladministration of the APC government, what do we do to provide an alternative platform for Nigerians to look up to?

“In those circumstances, we decided to thread with caution so that we don’t throw away the baby with the bath water.”

Senator Moro explained that Nyesom Wike was allowed to attend the National Caucus meeting of the party because he has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing or penalized by the party.

The Senator also mentioned that if Wike is found guilty of the alleged antiparty activities by the party’s disciplinary committee, which is headed by Senator Bukola Saraki, and sanctioned, he would stop attending the party’s meetings.

He said, “The constitution of our party is very clear on who is a member and who is not a member of the caucus of the party and I dare say, at this point, that as a former governor who is still a member of the party, Nyesom Wike is a member of the National Caucus of the party.

“If actions had been taken immediately after the elections and people who are perceived to have acted contrary to the desires and yearnings of the PDP have been sanctioned, then we can say that having been expelled or suspended, you can’t be here, but as it is, non of such actions have been taken, so you can’t just ban people from attending meetings.”

He further added, “One of the fallouts of the last NEC meeting was the resuscitation of the Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee, which is saddled with the responsibility of identifying the area of antiparty and the dramatis personae involved in the activities and recommending appropriate punitive measures against those who have been found guilty to serve as a deterrent to future occurrence.

“Unfortunately, that hasn’t been done, and so to that extent, as a voluntary organization, if the members involved insist they are still members of the party until actions are taken by the Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee we want to take that they are still members of the party,” he added.