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By Myke Agunwa
As the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) fine-tunes its strategies ahead of the 2027 general election, the party’s National Chairman, Umar Damagum has stated that the main opposition party is prepared to march on to the nation’s seat of power, the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
However, a group led by Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday, threatened that the party’s national convention will become contentious if six demands—including recognizing its South-South zonal convention, holding a new Southeast zonal congress, and conducting local government elections in Ekiti State—are not met.
Damagum noted that he endured criticism for the party’s progress and urged party members to make necessary sacrifices. He reaffirmed that the party is more united and better positioned to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The PDP leader made this statement on Tuesday at the party’s headquarters in Abuja during the inauguration of the 119-member 2025 National Convention Planning Committee, which will hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, from November 15 to 16, 2025.
Reflecting on his leadership, he said, “Today, I say with conviction that the PDP is not broken. The PDP is not defeated. The PDP is marching forward; stronger, more determined, and better prepared to achieve our main goal: to reclaim the presidency of this great country and rebuild Nigeria from the mismanagement of the current ruling party.”
“This is mission-critical. The recent by-elections across the country, as well as the local government elections in Port Harcourt, speak for themselves. Opposition parties were met with intimidation and blatant rigging.
“The ruling party has shown no regard for democracy; their only interest lies in disenfranchising voters and stealing mandates. I will not dignify their actions by calling it ‘winning.’
” Just as during the military era, when the founding fathers of our great party courageously accepted the responsibility of challenging the existing power structure, today we, too, accept this responsibility—to rescue Nigeria’s democracy from undemocratic forces and to save our nation from this ongoing bastardization” Damagum stated.
In his remarks, the Chairman of PDP Governors Forum and governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed said that despite the zoning arrangements, members are at liberty to declare their interest in any position just as he assured that no one will be disenfranchised.
He said, “The time has come when we must flex our muscles. We are not cowards, and we are not afraid of anybody. We are capable of navigating this party beyond the shenanigans, beyond the arrogance, and beyond the impunity of others.
“We cannot continue to allow people to take us to the slaughterhouse. That’s our job. And our job is to make sure we don’t go to the slaughterhouse. We are working as governors and working with the committee to ensure that. The keyword is discipline. We will no longer allow anybody to take us for granted.
“It has to stop. Enough is enough. We are not going to tolerate it any longer. Yes, consensus. Yes, accommodation but accommodation cannot mean stupidity”.
Also in his acceptance speech, Chairman of the Committee and governor of Adamawa State, Umaru Fintri assured party supporters the committee will be fair to all aspirants.
“I want to tell you, every stakeholder in this party is my friend but I will not place our relationship above this party. I will deliver on my assignment. I will ensure that what is expected of us, is what is done.
“So I want to ask some of us, please let’s respect this party that has positioned us to where we have found ourselves. I am ready to accommodate all your fears. Whatever you will ask for, the secretary of the committee is there. We are not going to stop anybody from contesting whatever position that you feel fit to contest but then you have to do it with decorum. Come and buy the form, we will sell it to you and you go and test your might, test your popularity. If you want, you can start going around the states to do your campaign, but to be taking all our matters to the media, since we have a leadership of the party; I think it is unbecoming, too embarrassing to even go so far”.
The leadership of the committee includes Gov. Ademola Adeleke and Tanimu Truaki (SAN) who are the Deputy Chairman I and II while Gov. Peter Mbah is the Secretary.
Present at the ceremony were Gov. Seyi Makinde (Oyo state), former governor of Benue State Samuel Ortom, Board of Trustees Secretary Sen. Ahmed Fintiri and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) except the National Secrecretary Sen. Samuel Ananwu, who did not send apologies.