Opposition coalition lawmakers have raised alarms over an alleged plan to extend the tenure of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Umar Damagun, until 2027.
In a statement by its spokesman, Ikenga Ugochinyere, on Sunday, the lawmakers claim that powerful figures within the party are orchestrating efforts to weaken the opposition and prolong Damagun’s leadership.
The lawmakers argue that the PDP, which should be leading the opposition, has failed to do so due to internal conflicts and manipulation, according to Peoples Gazette.
They allege that key party members are working to prevent the success of a National Executive Committee meeting, which was intended to select a new chairman from the North-Central zone.
The lawmakers further suggest that the goal of this strategy is to ensure that Damagun remains in office until 2027, with the intention of imposing a weak presidential candidate on the party. They criticize the party leadership for delaying the NEC meeting, citing various excuses such as the Sallah holiday, and accuse them of aligning with the ruling party to undermine the PDP’s strength.
The lawmakers also expressed frustration with some PDP governors who have been cooperating with the ruling All Progressives Congress to maintain control over their states. This alignment, they argue, further weakens the opposition party’s position.
He said, “Today we have a political party, the PDP, that’s supposed to lead the opposition but is not doing so because they have hijacked the heartbeat of the opposition party.
“We have impostors among us, and the ruling party will be laughing at them now that they want to sabotage their own party. First they said there was a Sallah holiday, and they shifted it, since last year they kept on shifting the NEC meeting.
“Till now, no NEC meeting; they keep on giving different excuses. The national leaders of PDP are frolicking with the ruling party leaders.”
