Opposition lawmakers have accused the acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike of scheming to weaken the party’s leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during a press conference in Akokwa, Imo State, on Sunday, the lawmakers claimed the duo aims to prolong Damagum’s leadership and align the party with President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The coalition’s spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, alleged that the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) and state chairmen were complicit in sabotaging the party.
“Damagum’s continued stay is a strategy to foist a weak leadership on the party. They have turned the PDP into an errand platform for the ruling party,” Ugochinyere declared.
He accused top PDP officials of fraternising with All Progressives Congress (APC) members, citing secret meetings held abroad.
“Our national leaders now frolic in the APC minister’s bedroom while Nigerians suffer. This is not the leadership the PDP needs at this critical time,” he added.
The coalition criticised the repeated postponements of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, initially slated for August 15.
The NEC was expected to finalise leadership appointments, including selecting a substantive chairman from the North-Central zone.
“They’ve made countless excuses to shift the NEC meeting. This sabotage only benefits those conspiring against the PDP,” Ugochinyere said.
As tensions rise, questions abound over the party’s ability to function as a credible opposition. Many party members are increasingly concerned about its viability ahead of the 2027 general elections.