PDP Crisis Worsens as Elected Deputies Urge Opponents to Support Damagum or Quit

The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalates as elected deputies call on opposing members to either back acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, or leave the party.

Deputies elected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have expressed their backing for the party’s acting national chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, affirming that he will stay in his position until December 2025.

During a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Deputy National Youth Leader Comrade Timothy Osadolor condemned the demands for Damagum’s removal. He encouraged those opposing to either embrace his leadership or exit the party.

Osadolor, along with four other deputies, stressed the importance of unity within the PDP. They noted that internal pride and blame games have played a role in creating the party’s current difficulties.

“It is time for leaders to put aside personal interests and recognize their contributions to the party’s challenges. By collaborating, the PDP can restore its former glory,” Osadolor remarked.

He mentioned that since 2013, personal ambitions have propelled us to elevated levels of sheer mischief and the arrogant exercise of power.

This has resulted in agreements not being honored and the ambiguities within our Constitution being used by those in power, even through legal channels.

We all play a role, whether as perpetrators, supporters, or silent observers. No one else will rescue us; we need to rise and become our own heroes because it is our actions that have brought us to this point.

Now is not the time to play the blame game, as everyone shares responsibility. From the BOT chairman who backed an opposing governor, to candidates who bargained with and supported other party contenders hoping for reciprocal support, all the way to NWC members and leaders who failed in their own polling units—each has played a part.

We all need to set aside our pride, step down from our high horses, and unite under the leadership of Ambassador Illya Damagum to steer this party back towards success.

The distractions from court cases and the negative media coverage of the PDP must cease immediately. Liking the officers isn’t necessary, but prioritizing the party is crucial.

If you want to resign and leave, do so by being a proper part of the opposition. Don’t stick around only to jump from TV station to radio station criticizing the party.

The issue regarding the acting national chairman is resolved until December 2025, while we await the court’s decision on the National Secretary. Let’s prioritize loving and supporting PDP above all else.

Osadolor argued that the PDP is not only confronting the tyranny of the All Progressives Congress-led federal government towards both the party and Nigerians, but it is also addressing widespread disillusionment among its members nationwide and internationally.

He outlined several reasons for this situation, including distrust, insincerity, weak enforcement of agreements, self-serving interests, and an excessive display of flattery masked by smooth words.

Osadolor additionally criticized unnamed party leaders, accusing them of operating behind the scenes to create discord within the party.

“This behavior seems to be self-serving for them, as it does not benefit the PDP in any way. It is ethically and morally wrong for party members to cause confusion rather than using our internal mechanisms to seek peace,” he added.

Attending the briefing were Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor, Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi, Deputy National Financial Secretary Ndubisi Eneh, and Pascal Adigwe, the National Deputy Organizing Secretary.