•Factional suspensions and court interventions deepen crisis in Nigeria’s opposition party
Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has openly challenged the suspended national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, urging him to abandon the party and join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This statement comes as internal strife within the PDP escalates, leading to multiple suspensions among its leadership.
In a post on X, Melaye stated, “APC agent of destruction, enough is enough, Damagum. Go and join APC in peace. Bye-bye, Damagum, the harm you’ve done is enough.”
His remarks reflect the growing dissatisfaction within party ranks, especially following the recent suspension of Damagum and PDP’s national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, by a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Despite these upheavals, an Abuja Federal High Court has intervened, restraining the PDP’s National Executive Committee and Board of Trustees from removing Damagum as acting chairman.
The court emphasized that Damagum remains the legitimate chairman until the party’s national convention in December next year.
In a separate but related remark, Damagum criticized Nigerians who voted for President Bola Tinubu based on material incentives, suggesting that they are now suffering the consequences of their choices.
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“Those who accepted spaghetti and wrappers to bring in this government are suffering the most,” he said during a visit to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
He argued that the current hardships faced by many should serve as a lesson about the importance of choosing capable leaders over short-term inducements.
Governor Mohammed, who is also the chairman of the PDP governors’ forum, sought to downplay the factionalism within the party, insisting that all disputes would be resolved amicably.
