A group of federal lawmakers from the opposition has alleged that some governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 24 state party chairmen are conspiring to retain Umar Damagum as the party’s acting National Chairman until 2027.
The lawmakers claim this move is a deliberate attempt to weaken the party and undermine its role as a strong opposition force.
During a press conference on Sunday evening in Akokwa, Imo State, the lawmakers expressed their disapproval of the postponement of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which was expected to decide Damagum’s future as chairman.
The PDP Governors’ Forum, in agreement with the party’s National Working Committee, had announced on Saturday that the NEC meeting would be rescheduled for February 2025. This decision was made during a meeting held in Jos, Plateau State.
Ikenga Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency in Imo State, served as the spokesperson for the lawmakers. He criticized the party for failing to fulfill its responsibilities as a leading opposition group.
“Our nation faces numerous challenges—economic and political—but one thing that’s missing is a vibrant, responsive, and responsible opposition,” Ugochinyere said. “The PDP, which should lead the opposition, has become a shadow of itself, hijacked by political charlatans turning it into an errand platform for the ruling party.”
Ugochinyere accused Damagum and PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, of betraying the core principles of the party. He argued that their actions were designed to keep the chairman’s position out of the hands of the North Central zone, which he claimed was entitled to it.
“They have perfected a plan to ensure the NEC meeting will not happen, stalling the selection of a chairman from the North Central, where the position is supposed to come from,” Ugochinyere claimed. “They want Damagum to remain in office until 2027 to impose a weak presidential candidate on us.”
The lawmakers further accused Damagum and Anyanwu of forming a questionable alliance with Nyesom Wike, the current Federal Capital Territory Minister. Ugochinyere claimed that Wike, a member of the ruling APC government, was influencing the PDP leadership to the detriment of the party.
“You have a National Chairman and Secretary who are constantly in Wike’s bedroom—a minister in the APC government,” he said. “While Nigeria faces serious crises, our supposed opposition leaders are colluding with the ruling party. This is a betrayal of the trust of PDP supporters.”
Ugochinyere also criticized Wike for allegedly working against the PDP after losing the presidential primaries to Atiku Abubakar. He called on Wike to formally join the ruling APC if he intended to continue undermining the PDP. “If you want to join the APC, join the APC. But stop trying to destroy our party,” he said.
The lawmaker also issued a warning to President Bola Tinubu about Wike’s alleged lack of loyalty. “When things go south between you two, he will expose your secrets. History has shown his lack of loyalty to anyone but himself,” Ugochinyere cautioned.
