Senator Abba Moro, who represents Benue South Senatorial District, stated that the decision to keep Umar Damagum as the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party was not about an individual victory or defeat, but a choice made collectively by stakeholders to move the party forward.
Moro's comments came amid speculation that retaining Damagum, despite calls for his resignation, was seen as a win for Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and a setback for PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar.
Senator Moro emphasized that it was unfair to attribute all of PDP’s actions to Atiku and Wike, as the party consists of many members with different views and motivations. He stressed the importance of focusing on strengthening the PDP as a viable option for Nigerians in the face of ongoing challenges.
He mentioned, “Our party's constitution clearly defines who is a member of the party caucus. As a former governor who is still a party member, Nyesom Wike is indeed a member of the National Caucus of the party.
“If actions had been taken immediately after the elections to discipline those who went against the PDP's wishes, then we could say that those expelled or suspended cannot be part of the meetings. But as it stands, no such actions have been taken, so we can't simply bar people from attending meetings.”
He also mentioned, “One outcome of the last NEC meeting was the revival of the Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee, tasked with identifying anti-party activities and those involved, and recommending appropriate penalties for those found guilty to deter future occurrences.
“Unfortunately, this has not been done, so as a voluntary organization, if the members in question insist they are still part of the party until the Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee takes action, we have to consider them as members of the party.”
Regarding the upcoming NEC meeting on August 15 and its impact on the party's National Chairman position, the Senate Minority Leader mentioned that the party's constitution outlines a clear succession plan.
He stated, “We cannot attribute all of PDP’s activities to Wike and Atiku, out of the millions of other party members across the country who have their own thoughts and reasons for being in the party.
“The issue was not about Wike or Atiku, or a victory or defeat for Wike or Atiku, but about the party's existence.
“We came together and deliberated on how to provide an alternative platform for Nigerians to turn to amidst the suffering caused by the APC government's mismanagement.
“In those situations, we decided to proceed with caution so that we don’t discard the good along with the bad.”
On why the National Caucus of the party allowed Nyesom Wike into their meeting, Senator Moro said the Minister couldn’t have been prevented from the meeting since he has not been found guilty of any crime and punished by the party.
He mentioned that if the party’s disciplinary committee, led by Senator Bukola Saraki found Wike guilty of the alleged antiparty activities and penalized him, he would stop attending the party’s meetings.
He said, “The rules of our party clearly define who is a member and who is not a member of the caucus of the party and I dare say, at this point, that as a former governor who is still a member of the party, Nyesom Wike is a member of the National Caucus of the party.
“If actions had been taken immediately after the elections and people who are seen to have acted against the wishes and aspirations of the PDP have been penalized, then we can say that having been expelled or suspended, you can’t be here, but as it is, none of such actions have been taken, so you can’t just ban people from attending meetings.”
He further added, “One of the outcomes of the last NEC meeting was the revival of the Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee, which is responsible for identifying the area of antiparty behavior and the individuals involved in the activities and recommending appropriate punitive measures against those who have been found guilty to serve as a deterrent to future occurrences.
“Regrettably, that hasn’t been done, and so to that extent, as a voluntary organization, if the members involved insist they are still members of the party until actions are taken by the Reconciliation and Disciplinary Committee we want to take that they are still members of the party,” he added.
On expectations from the next NEC meeting scheduled for August 15, as it concerns the position of the National Chairman of the party, the Senate Minority Leader said the party’s constitution had a well-established succession plan.
“The rules of our party has a well-established succession plan. Section 35 (3C) states that where a vacancy exists, someone from the zone of the immediate past occupier of the office shall be appointed by NEC to complete the tenure of the person who vacated the office.
“For the position of the National Chairman, we will look at the succession plan of the party, in accordance with the constitutional provisions, and produce a replacement for Senator Iyorchia Ayu from North Central now that he has heeded our plea and withdrawn his case from the court. We will go to the next NEC meeting with open minds and invoke the relevant sections of the constitution to produce his replacement,” he stated.
