- Safiu Kehinde
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, has dismissed claims of the party’s National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who allegedly urged members of the party to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Sequel to Wednesday’s adoption of the ADC by the coalition group which had some members of the PDP led by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Damagum had in a Press Conference held a the party’s secretariat urged remaining members of the party not to leave.
He would however hinted that those who feel they want to defect can leave, adding that they will end up coming back to the party.
“To those that are contemplating — they should not. They have no place, and there’s nowhere that would be as accommodating as our party,
“But if they feel they want to [defect], I will wish them good luck. But I know they will run back.” Damagum had said.
Reacting to the National Chairman’s address, Ologunagba in a statement issued on Thursday maintained that the PDP is yet to take any official position over the new coalition party.
In what he described as a misrepresenting report, Ologunagba held that the factional National Working Committee (NWC) is currently focused on building and consolidating on attained unity, stability and strengthening of the party’s structures and capacity.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary said the NWC is working towards holding a successful National Convention which will revamp and reposition the PDP ahead of the 2027 General election.
The statement read in part; “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) @OfficialPDPNig has been drawn to a misrepresenting report in a section of the social media claiming that the PDP had directed its members to join the Coalition Group.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NWC states in clear terms that the PDP has not taken any official position on the issue of Coalition.
“The PDP is for now focused on building and consolidating on attained unity, stability and strengthening of its structures and capacity to play its roles as the leading opposition Party determined to return to power in 2027.
“Our Party is currently working conscientiously towards a successful National Convention which will further revamp and reposition the PDP for the task ahead.
“Nevertheless, as a major opposition Party with very strong presence and bond with Nigerians across the country, the PDP restates that it remains open to working with other well-meaning like-minded citizens in the collective effort to rescue our nation from the stranglehold of the rudderless and insensitive All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.
“Our Party appreciates Nigerians for their interest, solidarity and loyalty to the PDP brand and reassures that all machineries are being put in place to re-activate the PDP winning ways ahead of the 2027 general elections.”