Those Joining Coalition Will Come Running Back to Us – PDP Acting Chairman Damagum

Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum, has expressed strong confidence that members who recently defected to join a political coalition will ultimately return to the party. Speaking after a three-hour meeting of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, Damagum said the PDP remains the most inclusive and resilient political platform in the country.

Flanked by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Damagum announced that the NWC has resolved to convene the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting from July 23 to 25. He declared that internal divisions had been resolved, and the committee is now united and focused on steering the party forward.

Addressing recent defections, Damagum said, “To those that are contemplating, they should not go. They have no place there, and there’s nowhere that will be as accommodating as our party. But if they feel like going ahead, I wish them good luck — but I know they will come running back.”

He warned individuals demarketing the PDP that the party is observing their actions closely and will respond when necessary. He reaffirmed that the PDP will not be weakened by attempts from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to lure away its members, warning the APC that the 2027 elections will be a reckoning between the party and the Nigerian people.

“To APC, I want to send a message — you can continue to harass and buy our members, but the 2027 election is between Nigerians and you. It is better you start now and correct your ways,” he said. “Hunger, insecurity, and arbitrary expulsion of Nigerians is more than overwhelming.”

Damagum pointed to the party’s internal conflict resolution capacity as a reason for its longevity, declaring, “This is the only party in the country that has lasted this long. We have mastered the act of conflict resolution, we know our problems and we solve them within ourselves.”

Wednesday’s meeting saw previously divided NWC members reuniting and exchanging pleasantries, including Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Chief Ali Odefa, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, Ambassador Timothy Arapaja, Architect Setonji Koshoedo, and Alhaji Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).

Damagum declined to take questions from the press following his briefing.