The acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has appealed to the Atiku Abubakar-led faction of the party to have a rethink, saying the party has resolved its perceived crisis.
Damagum’s appeal is coming on the heels of planned adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), by the Atiku Abubakar-led breakaway, which is working with the coalition group.
Damagum, who stated that the PDP is “now more united than before”, spoke on Wednesday at the party secretariat, Abuja shortly after leading members of the party’s first National Working Committee NWC, meeting, following the recent crisis that engulfed it
“To APC, I want to send a message that you can continue to harass, harass, and buy our members. But the 2027 election is between Nigerians and you.”
The NWC meeting was attended by most of the members, including Taofeek Arapaja, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Debo Ologuagba, the National Publicity Secretary, Ali Odefa, Deputy National Chairman (South East) and Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary of the party.
Damagum said: “We remain united despite all the challenges. We have sat down to discuss all thorny issues and trash it out today.
“We’ve agreed that we have already, as proposed by the last NEC, that the next meeting scheduled for 23rd, 24th and 25th of July, will still hold.”
Damagum who noted that the country has been subjected to hunger, insecurity, urged leaders to listen to the yearning of the people.
“Like I said earlier, we are not conquered. We are law-abiding citizens. We deserve to be heard.
“For democracy to strive, people must say their minds. People should be listened to and policies, I mean policies should be people-oriented.
“Our leaders have already come together to give us this leadership. This is what you can see in this NWC. And I keep reiterating this is the only party in the country that has lasted this long.
Damagum declared that the party has mastered the act of conflict resolution, adding: “We know our problems and we solve it within ourselves.
“To those that are contemplating, they should not, they have no place and there’s nowhere that will be as accommodating as our party.
“But if they feel it is better to leave, I will wish them good luck. But I know they will run come running back.
He also warned those de-marketing the party saying that ” I want to re-emphasize that if you are a member of People’s Democratic Party, we are drawing a line for those that are de- marketing, the party.
“We watch them and take appropriate actions at the right time.
“If you believe in this party, you should be an ambassador that for for years, the postures that this party has given to the citizens of this country when it was there.
”I want to re-emphasize that if you are a member of the People’s Democratic Party, we are drawing a line for those that go to demarket, the party. We will watch them and take appropriate actions at the right time.
“If you believe in this party, you should be an ambassador that protects, the fortunes that this party has given to the citizens of this country when it was there.”
* Media Report