•Kwanwaso and Damagum
Despite criticisms from former party members, including Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is alive and remains the strongest opposition force in Nigeria, according to the PDP’s acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliyas Damagum.
Speaking on BBC Hausa Service today, Damagum asserted that PDP remains a strong presence on Nigeria’s political landscape, adding that most of those who left the party are now realising that it is only PDP which made them into national figures that can offer them a truly national platform to contest.
Damagum also wondered why any of those whose departure never led to the PDP’s death would now be assuming that the party is irrelevant.
Addressing Kwankwaso’s criticisms of alleged deceit within the PDP, Damagum pointed out that the truth is no other party has contributed to Kwankwaso’s political career as the PDP has.
He expressed hope that Kwankwaso might eventually return to the party, contributing to its revitalization and helping address the challenges posed by the current administration.
“PDP nurtured him (Kwankwanso) and contributed significantly to his political success; we still have hope that he might return to the party and contribute to its rejuvenation, so we can collectively address the injustices of the current government,” Damagum said.
According to Damagum, it is completely erroneous for anyone in Nigeria to assume that PDP is losing its relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
He emphasised that the party remains the only political party that is capable of winning elections against the current ruling party.
“Every member has the right to express their opinion but let me remind him that when he left the party in 2015, despite the challenges we faced then, the PDP never died; if the party could survive his exit then, why would anyone think it is irrelevant now?”
“PDP is the only party that has consistently won elections without being in power; Senator Kwankwaso may have left, but how many states did he win with his new party? The facts speak for themselves,” Damagum added.
Damagum emphasised the PDP’s resilience and long-standing influence, citing its enduring structure and presence in all local government areas and geo-political zones across Nigeria.
“For over two decades, the PDP has remained steadfast, maintaining its identity and producing governors and lawmakers in every part of the country; even if four parties merge without the PDP, they cannot win an election.
“We’ve seen this play out repeatedly; where are those parties now? Even their alliances with other parties have not delivered the desired results,” he stated.
The acting chairman also addressed some of the grievances that led to Kwankwaso’s departure, noting efforts made to resolve internal conflicts at the time.
“I admit that some of his claims about the challenges we faced back then are valid.
As the Deputy National Chairman (North) at the time, my powers were limited, but we tried to resolve the issues. Unfortunately, those efforts fell short. He himself acknowledged this in previous interviews,” Damagum said.
Despite these differences, Damagum expressed optimism about a possible reconciliation with former PDP members like Kwankwaso.
“The PDP played a significant role in his political career, shaping him into the leader he is today. We remain hopeful that he will return to the party and join us in addressing the injustices Nigerians face under the current administration,” he added.
Damagum assured that the PDP remains open to welcoming back many dissatisfied members who left the party the way Kwankwanso did.
“By God’s grace, we will reach out to him soon. I understand his frustrations, but I also know it will be difficult for him to achieve his aspirations where he is now.
“The PDP has always been a party that supports its members and ensures they are given the opportunity to thrive,” he stated.
Kwankwaso had recently criticised some PDP leaders while also expressing anger how he was humiliated by the party in 2015 that led to his departure from the party.
In his response, Damagum questioned the impact of Kwankwaso’s move to another party, adding,
Damagum emphasised the PDP’s resilience and long-standing influence, citing its enduring structure and presence across Nigeria.
“For over two decades, the PDP has remained steadfast, maintaining its identity and producing governors and lawmakers in every part of the country. Even if four parties merge without the PDP, they cannot win an election. We’ve seen this play out repeatedly. Where are those parties now? Even their alliances with other parties have not delivered the desired results,” he stated.
The acting chairman also addressed some of the grievances that led to Kwankwaso’s departure, noting efforts made to resolve internal conflicts at the time.
“I admit that some of his claims about the challenges we faced back then are valid. As the Deputy National Chairman (North) at the time, my powers were limited, but we tried to resolve the issues. Unfortunately, those efforts fell short. He himself acknowledged this in previous interviews,” Damagum said.
It would be recalled that yesterday, Senator Kwankwaso who was the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election told the BBC Hausa Service that despite increasing speculations about a 2027 political pact with both former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, he would have nothing to do with such moves.
Kwankwaso also lamented that series of unpardonable deception forced him and others out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and expressed disgust that some politicians, including those who never did anything tangible for the North are working hard to manipulate sentiments across the northern states in a desperate bid towards seizing political power in 2027.
“I got information from sources purporting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and I have met but what I know is that nobody contacted me and I have not spoken with Atiku.
“Also, I have not spoken with Peter Obi because I decided that until the end of this year 2024), it is better to allow state governments and the Federal Government to work for the people and apply their wisdom in governance.
“The most annoying thing is I that heard from a source the latest I heard that some people in the PDP told a group of about 45 (Islamic) scholars that there is a consensus that Atiku will rule for four years, Kwankwaso will subsequently rule for four years and Peter Obi, eight years; this is totally a lie, it is not true.
“This has infuriated me: why is it that elder statesmen in their 70s, 80s, will be spreading such lies to these scholars about something that has never existed?
“Such statements and deceits were part of things that made me and some other people leave the (PDP) party and now they have destabilised the party,” the former governor stated.
