A former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, has launched a scathing attack on the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, blaming him for the party’s internal crisis and declining fortunes.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired Wednesday night, Suswam stated bluntly that Damagum lacks the qualities of a true leader and has consistently breached the party’s constitution.

“There is no integrity in the leadership of PDP. I’m happy that Wike said it,” Suswam remarked, referring to recent criticisms by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Suswam accused Damagum of failing to consult properly with key stakeholders of the party, including members of the National Working Committee (NWC), before making critical announcements such as the controversial reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.

“After the meeting with INEC, a good leader would have met with the National Working Committee members to brief them before holding any press conference,” he said.

He further argued that Damagum’s unilateral decisions have exacerbated internal divisions within the PDP.

Suswam also raised constitutional concerns over Damagum’s continued stay in office as acting chairman.

“He breached the provisions of the constitution which said that he must act for a period and this position must go back to the North Central,” Suswam said, emphasizing that the party is violating its own zoning arrangement by allowing Damagum from the North East to remain in office beyond the stipulated period.

Suswam’s remarks come amid heightened tensions within the PDP, following a divided response to Damagum’s press briefing where he announced the return of Anyanwu as National Secretary and allegedly attempted to cancel the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30.

Key members of the NWC have since disowned Damagum’s claims, insisting that only the NEC can alter its own resolutions.