By Wealth Oghenemaro
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), particularly the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, over his handling of the lingering dispute surrounding the position of National Secretary.
Wike, a key figure in the internal wrangling within the PDP, faulted Damagum’s directive to Senator Samuel Anyanwu to resume office, saying the position is not at the discretion of the Acting Chairman.
Reacting to Damagum’s pronouncement, Wike said:
“Let me also use this opportunity, because when I was coming, I watched on national television, even though this is not a political rally, but anyhow, it is still politics. I heard when the acting national chairman of PDP was directing the national secretary to resume.”
Wike continued, “The national secretary is not your appointee (referring to Damagum). National secretary has been doing his work. So, you cannot call him to resume.”
The former Rivers State Governor accused Damagum of perpetrating illegalities and lacking the leadership capacity required to manage the party’s affairs.
“Because of the illegalities you perpetrate and the fact that you don’t show leadership, that is why you put yourself where you are. It is nobody’s making. National secretary has been working and will continue to work.”
He dismissed Damagum’s directive as a demonstration of ignorance, stating:
“He doesn’t require anybody to direct him to resume work. It is because of your ignorance of the law. Too bad, too bad. The law does not recognise ignorance. They are ignorant of the law; it is not an excuse.”
Wike also expressed dismay that the PDP leadership had to rely on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to interpret a Supreme Court judgment regarding the position of the national secretary.
“I feel so bad when people can now move to INEC for INEC to direct them to obey Supreme Court judgment. It is most unfortunate.”
He added, “A political party would now go and ask from INEC, what do we do? INEC would now direct you, go and obey the Supreme Court judgment. You see, when you shoot yourself, you will say somebody has shot you. Continue to shoot yourself.”
Wike’s outburst came on the heels of Damagum’s announcement on Wednesday reinstating Senator Anyanwu to his position following what he said were consultations with key party stakeholders and INEC’s position on the matter.
Damagum defended his action, stating that the party had no option but to comply with INEC’s advice due to the urgency of upcoming elections in the FCT.
However, the directive has since been rejected by some members of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), who insist that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) can make a binding decision on the matter.
They reaffirmed that the 100th NEC meeting scheduled for June 30, 2025, remains in place and that Damagum’s decision has no constitutional backing, further deepening the internal crisis threatening the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
