The acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has called for forgiveness and unity to address the internal crisis threatening the party’s stability.
Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Yusuf Dingyadi, at a workshop in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, Damagum urged party members, bloggers, and social media handlers to stop spreading falsehoods and engaging in character attacks.
The PDP, currently grappling with leadership disputes, faces division among governors and within the National Working Committee.
Moves to replace Damagum with a substantive National Chairman have intensified the discord.
Damagum’s remarks came at the conclusion of a two-day capacity-building workshop titled “Effective Media Awareness and Peace in the Political Arena,” organized for social media handlers from the North-West.
“Our leadership will continue to embrace forgiveness, cohesion, and unity rather than succumbing to propaganda and injustice,” Damagum stated.
“The PDP must reject division and discord and focus on our collective mission. We are a party of progress and must carry everyone along.”
He criticized certain individuals within the PDP for amplifying internal conflicts and personal agendas, warning that such actions threaten the party’s integrity.
“The PDP is larger than any one individual,” he said.
“Spreading lies, fueling hatred, and engaging in character assassination will only undermine our collective efforts and tarnish what we have built.”
Damagum assured members that leadership changes would only occur through transparent and democratic processes, emphasizing the party’s commitment to inclusivity and dialogue.
Dr. Suleiman Aliyu-Gafai, head of media mobilization for the PDP Supporters Group, also voiced concerns over the leadership crisis, urging party leaders to prioritize unity over personal interests.
“We cannot let internal squabbles derail our progress,” Aliyu-Gafai said.
“Our focus must be on strengthening the PDP to reclaim its position as a formidable force in Nigerian politics.”
The workshop, facilitated by Northern Professionals in Politics and Development, aimed to equip social media handlers with the tools to promote party cohesion and effective communication.
The PDP continues to navigate its internal challenges, with calls for unity becoming increasingly urgent as the party prepares for future elections.