An interest group, Concerned PDP League (CPDPL), says no amount of misinformation, lies, propaganda and blackmail will make Umar Damagum to resign his position as the acting National Chairman of PDP.
The group stated this in a statement by its National Secretary, Alhaji Tasiu Muhammed, and the acting Director of Publicity and Communication Justina Dashi, in Abuja on Tuesday.
It stated that Damagum remained the acting PDP and ‘he is going nowhere’.
The group said that its response had become necessary in order not to allow PDP members and Nigerians fall for the deceit of the distractors working to de-market the party and Damagum for their personal interests and ambitions.
The group said it had watched with dismay the calculated and deliberate misinformation, lies, propaganda and blackmail by some destructive elements within the party to distract or coax Damagum.
It said that the distractors had continued to make untrue and bogus publications against the acting national chairman.
“What is playing out in PDP today is all about 2027 presidential ambitions, nothing more,” it said.
The group said its investigation revealed that since the exit of Dr Iyorchia Ayu and the emergence of Damagum, a PDP national leader felt he was on the verge of losing his chances of getting the party’s presidential ticket in 2027.
It particularly cited a governor on the PDP platform who, it said, felt happy with the exit of Ayu but, at the same time, felt his presidential ambition was at stake with Damagum at the helm of affairs of the party.
The group stated that while the distractors were trying to push Damagum against the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the party’s acting chairman didn’t fall for that trap.
It said that having realised their failure, the distractors began to push for the North Central to produce Ayu’s replacement with heavy propaganda, citing Section 47(6) of the PDP Constitution, as amended in 2017.
“They do this, not knowing or pretending not to know, that section 47(6) is where the acting national chairman derives his power to continue as substantive National Chairman, with Sections 35(3c) and 45 (2) crowning it.
The group urged Damagum not to succumb to those it described as power-thirsty politicians, but to continue with his good work of stabilising and uniting the party.
“Damagum should not allow anybody to intimidate him into calling for National Executive Council (NEC) meeting when he has not calmed down frayed nerves who must have been misled with lies, blackmails and propaganda, and abide by the constitution.
“We, therefore, urge all those behind these lies, blackmails and propaganda to desist from continuing doing so forthwith.
“Damagum’s simplicity should not be taken for granted,” the group added. (NAN)