Amid rising internal divisions and speculation of defections, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has issued a firm yet reconciliatory call to party members engaging in dual political loyalties.
Speaking at the Consultative Conference of Founding Fathers and Stakeholders at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, Damagum urged such members to either recommit fully to the PDP or exit the party, declaring that “coalition is an aberration.”
Addressing party elders, governors, lawmakers, and key stakeholders, Damagum emphasized the need for discipline, unity, and ideological clarity to reposition the PDP as Nigeria’s leading platform for democratic governance.
“You cannot belong to two parties at once. If you’re not with us, kindly leave and stop destabilizing our ranks,” he stated, warning against “double game politics.”
He invited those willing to return to do so sincerely but stressed that duplicity would no longer be tolerated.Damagum reflected on the PDP’s founding by figures like Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Solomon Lar, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, and Professor Jerry Gana, describing it as a party born to resist dictatorship and promote inclusivity.
Acknowledging past internal strife, he insisted the PDP retains the moral and structural foundation to address Nigeria’s economic and political challenges.
“We’ve spent too much time reconciling. Now, we must truly do it and move forward,” he urged.
Bauchi State Governor and PDP Governors Forum Chairman, Senator Bala Mohammed, reinforced Damagum’s call for unity, questioning the wisdom of defecting to parties lacking the PDP’s established structures and national presence.
“Some who left were accommodated despite contributing to our 2015 loss. If you must go, don’t disparage the PDP,” Mohammed said, praising the governance records of PDP governors like Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) as evidence of the party’s commitment to progress.
Former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki also spoke, urging members not to abandon the PDP in frustration.
“Leaving should not be an option. We can resolve our differences and restore the PDP’s glory,” Saraki said, advocating for fairness and internal reforms to strengthen the party.
The conference, viewed as a strategic move ahead of the PDP’s National Convention, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to inclusive leadership, policy-driven politics, and robust opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the PDP could rebuild and reclaim its role as Nigeria’s foremost political force.
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