February 18, (THEWILL) – The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Dingyadi, has described, as unfounded, the allegations against Ag. National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, over the party’s secretary position.
Dingyadi, in an interview with Journalists in Sokoto, also defended the Acting National Chairman against accusations of sabotaging the National Working Committee’s decisions on the National Secretary issues.
He said the Acting Chairman has no hands or support of a particular person as the substantive National Secretary of the party.
According to Dingyadi, it is unbecoming to accuse the party Chairman, who has worked tirelessly to uplift the party standard, uniting the same National Working Committee (NWC) members to sustain party cohesion when many failed to do so.
“Damagum has been instrumental in uniting the party leadership, making it a more formidable force for its existence after the 2023 general elections.
Dingyadi noted that Amb Damagum was not in Abuja on the day of contention, a day Sen Samuel Anyanwu resumed at Wadata House.
“He travelled to Damaturu in preparation for his cousin’s daughter’s wedding ceremony scheduled that week.
“Damagum has faced attacks from certain groups within the party, particularly from the northern region sponsored by a certain group of people who want to force on PDP a rubber stamp leadership that can do their dirty bidding and strangle anybody who disagrees with them.
He, however, praised the Acting National Chairman Damagum for having succeeded in sustaining the party’s growth, political understanding and cohesion.
The accusations against Damagum centre around baseless rumours, including his alleged relationship with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyson Wike.
However, Dingyadi emphasised that Damagum’s commitment to the party remains unwavering.
“As the acting National Chairman, Damagum has demonstrated his dedication to the party’s unity and growth without fear or favour.
“He has travelled extensively, organised meetings, and referred disciplinary cases to the reconciliatory action committee, rather than allowing suspensions or expulsions for selfish interests.
“No matter what pundits will do, they should remember Amb Damagum, remains a bonafide member of the National Working Committee and all other organs that have constitutional backing”, Dingyadi further explained.
Dingyadi concluded that those accusing Damagun are ultimately harming the party by destroying the symbol and institution of PDP survival, and Damagum’s emergence is backed by constitutional provisions.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
