Wike should have been expelled long time ago & inaction in PDP caused by petitions—Damagum, PDP Acting National Chairman

The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Iliya Damagum, has faulted the party’s disciplinary committee for failing to act on multiple petitions that, if addressed, could have curbed the disruptive influence of some members, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking during an interview on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mana Hanya, Damagum said the committee received over 40 petitions but only acted on oneone, a decision he believes left the party vulnerable.

“The committee was handed over 40 petitions that needed attention, but it only chose to act on that of the national secretary. If the committee had acted on those petitions, maybe we would not be here today,” he said.

He disclosed that there were strong grounds to remove Wike and others from the PDP but lamented that action was not taken.

“We advised them that the five of them should be expelled from the party, but nothing was done until the elections came and gone.”

“They succeeded in setting the party back with the things they did. Now that I am leading the party, they are putting pressure on me to expel him.”

Damagum also reflected on his personal dynamic with Wike, attributing their frosty relationship to the collapse of Wike’s ties with others in the party.

“Before I knew him, many of those people had known him and had a relationship with him. They were enjoying his magnanimity. My only sin to them is that I came at a time when their relationship had collapsed.”

He stated that Wike’s disruptive role was evident well before the 2023 elections.

“We advised them that the five of them should be expelled from the party,” he repeated, stressing that their actions harmed the PDP at a critical moment.

While some are urging him to take punitive measures, Damagum signaled a more reconciliatory approach.

“I want peace in the party. By the time you keep expelling members rather than peaceful resolution of issues, one day you will wake up and no more people in the party.”

On Wike’s sway within the party, Damagum offered a striking example: “When the FCT minister single-handedly brought the embattled Rivers State governor as the candidate of the PDP, nobody asked him how he did it. Now, there is a problem between them. How do you expect the party or me to come in?”

He went on to accuse some top figures in the PDP of failing in their duties, contributing instead to the crisis through selfish or divisive actions.

According to him, “these influential figures act as though they are untouchable, effectively holding the party hostage through their behaviour.”

Damagum, a PDP member since 1998, reaffirmed his loyalty, saying, “I have political discipline and principles. I cannot jump from one party to another. I don’t have any reasons to do that.”

He acknowledged recent defections but downplayed their significance, maintaining that the PDP would emerge stronger.

“It is going to make the party come out better and stronger than what it is now,” he said.

Looking ahead to 2027, Damagum dismissed the idea that party switching would determine electoral outcomes.

“It is not the number of defections that will make the APC win the 2027 general elections; it is the electorate, Nigerians who will cast votes to elect a president. In 2027, it is President Bola Tinubu versus Nigerians, not the APC.”

Damagum also hinted that some defectors were driven by self-interest.

“Those leaving the party have one or two things to hide, looking for safe landing from possible persecution or maybe looking for more money in their bank accounts.”