Just days ahead of the scheduled National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) set for April 18, 2024, the party is facing a fresh crisis.
This brewing crisis coincides with doubts over the NEC’s ability to take decisive action against members involved in anti-party activities.
Recently, a coalition of PDP federal lawmakers, led by Hon Ikenga UgoChinyere, called for the resignation of the party’s acting national chairman, Umar Iliya Damagun, citing alleged anti-party activities.
Among their grievances was the party leadership’s silence on the political situation in Rivers State, which led to intervention by President Bola Tinubu.
The lawmakers also accused Damagun of orchestrating changes in local government leadership, allegedly appointing members of the APC as caretaker committee members of the PDP in several states.
They asserted that under Damagun’s leadership, the PDP had experienced setbacks, electoral losses, and legal challenges.
Their statement highlighted concerns that Damagun’s actions were undermining the PDP’s integrity and viability as an opposition party.
However, Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, distanced himself from the call for Damagun’s resignation, cautioning against unparliamentary practices.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a key figure within the party, has returned to the country ahead of the NEC meeting, indicating potential leadership discussions.
In response to these allegations, former National Auditor of the PDP, Barr Ray Nnaji, emphasized the need for concrete evidence to support claims of anti-party activities against Damagun.
He stressed the importance of adhering to party procedures and submitting proposals with supporting evidence for consideration at the upcoming NEC meeting.
Additionally, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct PDP, accused Damagun of colluding with the APC to dismantle the PDP.
He called for support for Ugochinyere and other lawmakers seeking to rectify the situation within the party.
Overall, the PDP is facing internal turmoil as it grapples with allegations of anti-party activities and struggles to maintain cohesion and effectiveness as an opposition force in Nigerian politics.
