Senator Abba Patrick Moro, the Senate Minority Leader and representative of Benue South Senatorial District, has stated that the survival of Ambassador Umar Lliya Damagun as the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a victory for the party. He emphasized that it is not a defeat for anyone but a decision that was unanimously agreed upon by relevant stakeholders to move the party forward.
Senator Moro’s reaction comes in response to rumors circulating that Damagun’s survival, despite calls for his resignation, is a victory for former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a defeat for PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Senator Moro clarified that the activities and inactivities of the PDP should not be attributed solely to Wike and Atiku. He emphasized that the issue at hand is not about victory or defeat for any individual, but about the PDP as a whole.
The Need for a United Front
He further explained that the decision to retain Damagun as the acting National Chairman was made in light of the current scenario where Nigerians are suffering due to the maladministration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government. The PDP sought to provide an alternative platform for Nigerians to look up to, and therefore, caution was exercised to ensure that the party does not lose its momentum.
Regarding Wike’s presence at the national caucus meeting, Senator Moro stated that the minister could not have been stopped from attending since he has not been found guilty of any crime and penalized by the party. He added that if Wike is found guilty of alleged anti-party activities by the party’s disciplinary committee, he will be sanctioned and barred from future meetings.
The Way Forward
Looking ahead to the next NEC meeting scheduled for August 15, Senator Moro highlighted the party’s well-defined succession plan as outlined in its constitution. He mentioned that according to Section 35 (3c) of the constitution, a replacement for the national chairman will be appointed from the zone of the immediate past occupier of the office.
Senator Moro appealed to party members and stakeholders to exercise restraint in their actions and statements to avoid further polarization within the party. He assured that every effort will be made to put the party on a winning path and rescue Nigerians from the hardships inflicted by the ruling APC.
