•Party not losing sleep over coalition –Damagum
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has vowed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) a fight of its life in the forthcoming general elections.
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He has, therefore, promised that he and his colleagues would galvanise all organs of the party to ensure it provides a credible platform for Nigerians to actualise their aspirations.
Speaking at the 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party in Abuja, yesterday, the governor admonished members against abusing those who left the PDP, recently, saying the party will keep its doors open for their return within a time frame.
“We will give the APC credible running for their money, in terms of contests that will be given on a level playing field with the party that is in touch.
He insisted that the PDP is better placed to drive any political coalition or alliance because it is the main opposition.
“We don’t have to make a lot of noise or cause more disparaging issues. We are working behind the scenes, behind the NWC, behind the BOT, the caucuses of the National Assembly, and the state chapters, to ensure that we remain intact and provide a credible platform for Nigerians to actualise their aspirations.
“As the BoT secretary has said, this is not time for calling names. This is not time for abuse. We sympathise with those who became impatient and left, but certainly, they will understand their fault. We will still leave the door ajar for them to come in when they wish to within a time limit.”
The Bauchi governor cautioned that the opposition party will no longer condone indiscipline within its fold, noting that indiscipline has brought the PDP so much troubles
“We will not continue to condone indiscipline because indiscipline is what brought us all the problems and challenges. Definitely, the party has shown resilience and the governors are going through a lot of challenges, just like the NWC.
“We continue to express confidence in the organs of the party, especially the NWC, who have shown magnanimity to even agree to go earlier than their time. They have shown that at least they are with us. They have shown selflessness, and we should always appreciate that.
“If everybody stands and becomes dogmatic, we are not going to where we are going. We thank the founding fathers who have come to rescue our image to a large extent. Yesterday’s outing was so good, and it has really placed us in a place where we should be. We have fathers. We have mothers. We are the sons of the party.
“We are ready to work with you so that no personal interest will divide us. Our ambition is no more important than the nation. We must be able to hide our personal ambition, either as governors or just seeking presidency so that we can leave a level playing field that will be attested to and recognised by the regulator INEC,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, has said the party was looking forward to the total dismantling of the opposition coalition.
Damagun boasted that the party was not losing sleep over the coalition of opposition politicians recently unveiled under the aegis of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). According to Damagun, some members of the opposition party, who joined the coalition have already returned while some claimed they never left the PDP. He added that members of other political parties, who were originally part of the coalition have also returned to their legacy parties.
While Senator David Mark and former vice president, Atiku Abuubakar have formally resigned their membership of the PDP, other who are yet to quit have continued to fraternise with the ADC. Damagun stated that the PDP has never been bothered about the coalition and insisted it was the only political party with the requisite structure and national acceptability to sack the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“I must address the matter of a so-called coalition recently formed, which includes some defecting members of our party. On this issue, I am pleased to report that this political experiment is nothing to lose sleep over. They say a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. Some people have recently learnt this truth in the most uncomfortable way.
“Many who jumped on the coalition bandwagon have already returned to our fold. Some even claimed they never left and merely attended a meeting. We accept their confessions without prejudice.
“Let me add that this reversal is not limited to PDP members alone. Individuals from other political parties who initially joined this coalition have realised that the venture is ill-fated and their swift return is proof of this.
“To close this matter, I believe that all of us look forward to the total dismantling of this ill-fated coalition, even as we extend our best wishes to those involved.”
Meanwhile, the NEC has postponed then National Convention to elect new members of its National Working Committee (NWC) to November 15 and 16
The PDP NEC, in a communique read by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, after its 101st meeting, yesterday, in Abuja, said the national convention earlier scheduled for August 28 -30, in Kano State, will now hold in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The communique said: “NEC approved the year 2025 Elective National Convention Schedule of Activities and Timetable. Under the approved Timetable, the Elective National Convention to elect the next set of National Officers of our Party will hold on Saturday, 15th to Sunday, 16th November, 2025 in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
“Consequently, NEC directed the National Chairman, His Excellency, Amb. Iliya Damagum and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu to officially write to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the time, venue and agenda of the Elective National Convention in accordance with the requirement of Section 82 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Part 2(12) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.
“Accordingly, NEC approved the membership composition of the National Convention Committee as well as the membership composition of the National Convention Zoning Committee to ensure a successful, transparent and credible Elective National Convention.”
Also, the NEC directed the NWC to take legal steps to “recover the seats of all serving members of the National and State Assemblies elected on the platform of the PDP but defected” to other political parties, in line with Sections 68 (1) (g) and 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Furthermore, the party organ frowned at the participation of some of its members in the activities and meetings of other political parties, and cautioned the affected members to show loyalty to the PDP.
“NEC expressed serious concern and frowns at the reported participation and involvement of some Party members in the activities, meetings and gathering of another political party.
“NEC calls on these members to reconsider their actions and show loyalty and commitment as members of the PDP especially as the law does not permit membership of two political Parties at the same time.”
Some PDP members, including former Vice President, former Senate President, David Mark, former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Liyel Imoke, Babangida Aliyu, Gabriel Suswam and Sam Egwu, former governors of Cross River, Niger, Benue and Ebonyi states respectively, have a meeting on July 1 expressed support for the coalition of opposition politicians for the 2027 polls.
The meeting, which was also attended former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, former Minister of Police, Waziri Maina; Senator Abdul Ningi, Senator Tunde Ogbeha and former Minister of External Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, noted that PDP was now a shadow of its old self.
The PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) said the outcome of the forthcoming national convention will define the political landscape in the country.
The secretary, Ahmed Makarfi, who spoke at a meeting of the board, ahead of the NEC, said it was up to the party to use the national convention to send a positive message to Nigerians.
Makarfi, while expressing delight over the return of normalcy to the opposition party, said the PDP must never take things for granted.
“We have to build on that stability, but we must never take things for granted, because for one reason or the other, some of our friends and associates have left us. I don’t believe they have left us for good.
“I believe, when you look at the agenda, the success of the items scheduled is what will bring most of them back. I cannot say all of them, we can even bring new hands into the PDP.
“So, the ball is in our court, not only to discuss and approve the items on the agenda, but to make sure the outcome of the scheduled National Convention sends a strong positive message to Nigerians, because that is what is going to define the political landscape in this country.”
The BoT secretary, who cautioned members to be careful of their speech, said “some cannot be working to rebuild the party, and some are trying to demarket it.”
He noted that the forthcoming national convention presents the PDP an opportunity to resolve all grievances within its fold, stating that the party must not miss the opportunity.
“We know that some people are aggrieved, but we have to come down and pull down whatever our grievances may be. If we work together, the convention should resolve all grievances. It’s an opportunity, and we must not miss it. We should be patient and make use of it,” Makarfi stated.
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