Amid growing internal tension and rumors of defections, Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, has issued a strong message to party members allegedly engaged in political double-dealing.
Speaking at the Consultative Conference of Founding Fathers and Stakeholders held in Abuja on Wednesday, Damagum called for loyalty and discipline, urging such individuals to choose between full commitment to the PDP or exiting the party altogether.
“You cannot be in PDP and in coalition with another party. We cannot do this,” Damagum stated firmly during his address at the NAF Conference Centre.
“If you are going, don’t market us. Most of you actualised your political aspirations through this party. We are telling you, come back. But if you must go, do so with clarity, not duplicity.”
Calling for ideological coherence and party discipline, Damagum warned against what he described as “double game politics.”
He said the PDP will no longer tolerate members who try to straddle multiple political camps.
“You can’t belong to two parties at once. You are either with us or you’re not. If you’re not, kindly leave and stop destabilising our ranks,” he asserted.
He paid tribute to the party’s founding fathers, including Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Solomon Lar, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, and Professor Jerry Gana, describing the PDP as a political force born from a struggle against dictatorship.
“We have spent too much time trying to reconcile. Now, we must truly do it and move forward,” Damagum added, stressing the need for internal unity and national relevance.
In solidarity, Senator Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, aligned with Damagum’s position.
He praised PDP governors for their performance and questioned the logic behind defecting to less-established political platforms.
“How is it smart to leave PDP, a party with history, structures, governors, and national presence, for a party with no offices?” Mohammed asked.
“Some of those leaving today were once accommodated, even after they caused our loss in 2015. We don’t want to insult them. But if you have to go, don’t disparage the PDP.”
Mohammed urged both elders and former members to return and help rebuild the party, which he described as the only national political platform with credible structures and a commitment to democratic governance.
He specifically praised governors like Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) for setting examples through impactful leadership.
Former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki also addressed the gathering, advising party members not to quit the PDP out of frustration.
“Leaving PDP should not be an option. The option is being fair to everyone. We can resolve our differences and move forward,” he said.
Saraki acknowledged the challenges the party faces but underscored its resilience and ability to self-correct.
“Let us agree to fix what is broken. I will never give up. I am a fighter and I believe we can restore PDP to its past glory,” he added.
