Issues related to anti-party activities within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) continue to generate debate and discussion within the party. Some stakeholders recently recommended that Damagum, Chairman of the PDP, sanction former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and other members, for their alleged anti-party activities during the last election.
However, rather than sanctioning the erring members, the President said during his address to the PDP Mobilization Group in Abuja that the National Leadership Committee (NWC) had already set up a committee to reconcile all members unhappy.
He added that sanctions against party members for anti-party activities could destroy the PDP and that his leadership was more interested in reconciliation.
“They always tell you that these people aren’t doing things right. But when you’re in a position of leadership, you’re bound by a set of rules, and even if they itch, you don’t enforce them; not because of anything, but so as not to destroy the house.
“I have heard the claims within our platforms that the NWC is not doing this or that. This is an opportunity for me to explain.
“Someone said that sometimes when you are not competent in certain areas and you express your opinion, it hurts other people’s sensitivity to understanding you,” he said.
He also explained that if he were to sanction party members for anti-party activities during the last general election, he would have to suspend many party members because many of them played anti-party games.
“If I said we have to start suspending, I would end up suspending a lot of people because they have been involved in anti-party activities. So please be patient with us. We intend to hold this party together and manage it. That is my mandate,” he said.
Regarding the 2023 presidential elections, Damagum called them “very painful” and urged party members not to blame each other for the party’s defeat in those elections.
During the previous election campaign, Nyesom Wike, a leading member of the opposition party, who currently serves as a minister in the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (APC), was accused of working against the PDP.