ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in the North Central Zone have distanced themselves from the reported suspension and removal of the party’s National Chairman, Malam Umar Damagum, by the Senator Anyanwu-led faction.
The group, in a statement issued after its meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, also rejected the purported appointment of Abdulrahman Mohammed as the new acting National Chairman of the PDP.
Spokesperson for the group, Francis Orogu, who also serves as the Secretary of the PDP North Central Zone, described the development as another avoidable political crisis.
Orogu stressed the need for wisdom, prudence, and the strict implementation of pending National Executive Committee (NEC) decisions aimed at strengthening the PDP ahead of its forthcoming National Convention.
He expressed regret that some individuals, in what he called a desperate move to destroy the PDP, were trying to drag the North Central Zone into their political schemes, including the alleged appointment of Mohammed.
Orogu advised Mohammed, who, according to him, was purportedly appointed by a “four-member National Working Committee (NWC)” as acting national chairman, to stay away from any actions capable of worsening the internal crisis within the PDP.
Similarly, the PDP National Ex-Officio Forum condemned what it described as an unlawful invasion of the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja by Senator Anyanwu and his supporters.
The forum’s Chairman, Clement Faboyede, and Secretary, Mrs. Hassan Comfort, described the incident as a reckless display of political lawlessness and an affront to democratic principles.
They labelled the actions as anti-party activities, a direct assault on the PDP, a violation of the party’s constitution, and an open declaration of war against internal democracy.
“What transpired at the Wadata Plaza was not just an attack on individuals, but an attempt to desecrate the sanctity of an institution built on decades of sacrifice, vision, and democratic commitment,” the forum stated.
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“Those behind this inglorious plot have only succeeded in exposing their disdain for order and their contempt for the collective will of millions of PDP faithful nationwide,” it added.
The forum reaffirmed its total allegiance to the leadership of Malam Umar Damagum, describing him as the legitimate National Chairman of the PDP.
“We stand firm and unshaken behind Damagum, an emblem of stability, inclusiveness, and credible leadership. Under his watch, the PDP has continued to pursue peace, reconciliation, and reform.
“The party shall never be hijacked by opportunists or held hostage by self-seeking elements intoxicated by power and ambition,” the forum said.
It also called on all genuine party members, organs, and stakeholders across Nigeria to remain calm, focused, and unwavering in their commitment to the ideals of the PDP.
The forum expressed confidence that truth, justice, and the rule of law would ultimately prevail over impunity and disorder.
Additionally, the forum urged security agencies and relevant authorities to safeguard the sanctity of the PDP’s national institutions and ensure that those responsible for the invasion were held accountable.
In another development, the Forum of Youth Leaders across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, expressed its support for Abdulrahman Mohammed.
The spokesperson of the youth group, Jamilu Ali, said the forum welcomed Mohammed’s emergence and urged him to resolve all internal matters within the party.
According to Ali, the youth leaders stand in solidarity with Mohammed in his new responsibility.
“We are happy to have this kind of person, most of all as a youth. We agreed that we are giving him all our support to make sure he stabilises the party, brings all the warring factions to the table, and creates a good working environment for the party to thrive,” Ali said.
“We are begging all our major stakeholders, all our leaders, to give the new chairman the needed support. We beg that they should sheath all their swords. There is no party constitution that is above the Nigerian constitution,” he added.
Ali described Mohammed as a youth-friendly leader capable of uniting the party.
In his brief remark, the Secretary of the Forum from Cross River State, Comrade Brian Odion, dismissed the notion of factionalism within the PDP.
“In PDP, we are one. We believe PDP is one. But all I can tell you is, we are on the side of the people that are saying, ‘Let’s do the right thing,’” Odion said.
“Let the needful be done. So, whoever says that he’s calling the party to do the right thing, we are in support of that. Nobody will say that he’s against doing the right thing,” he added.