The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has plunged back into crisis following disagreements over the continued tenure of Ambassador Umar Damagum as the party’s acting national chairman until December.
While a section of the National Working Committee (NWC) supports Damagum’s leadership, some chieftains from the North-Central zone argue that the position should be ceded to their region, describing the arrangement as unjustifiable.
Leading the pro-Damagum group, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, criticized those opposing the acting chairman, accusing them of pursuing a “proxy war” to destabilize the party. Osadolor challenged the dissenters to leave the PDP if they could not align with efforts to rebuild it.
Speaking during a solidarity meeting organized by some NWC members to support Damagum, Osadolor highlighted the growing disillusionment within the party, attributing it to distrust, insincerity, and self-serving interests among some leaders.
In his address titled Tomorrow Beckons on PDP, Osadolor lamented the prolonged internal crisis, which he described as a distraction from more pressing issues, such as the party’s legal battles over the Edo State governorship election.
He stated, “We are dealing with the disillusionment of members across the country due to a lack of trust, insincerity, and selfish ambitions. The proxy wars waged by some privileged leaders are counterproductive and alarming, distracting the party from critical objectives.”
Osadolor accused certain party members of creating confusion instead of using internal mechanisms for conflict resolution, saying, “It is ethically and morally wrong for members to spread discord rather than seek peace within the party.”
The deputy officials present at the meeting, including Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi, Deputy National Financial Secretary Ndubisi Eneh, and National Deputy Organising Secretary Pascal Adigwe, affirmed their support for Damagum’s leadership. They called for unity to reposition the PDP ahead of future elections.
Osadolor further acknowledged that the party’s current troubles were the result of collective failure by various leaders. “From the Board of Trustees chairman endorsing an opposition governor to candidates supporting other parties, no one is innocent in this crisis,” he said.
He urged party members to rally behind Damagum, adding, “The case of the acting national chairman is settled until December 2025. All distractions and public criticism of the party must stop. If you cannot support the party, step aside.”
Osadolor concluded by emphasizing the need for reforms and unity within the PDP, saying, “We must amend the ambiguities in our constitution and work together to restore the party’s pride and return it to power for the benefit of Nigerians.”
Efforts to get a reaction from PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to inquiries.
The crisis within the PDP comes at a time when the party is expected to focus on rebuilding and preparing for future elections. However, ongoing internal divisions threaten to derail these efforts, leaving the party at a crossroads.
