The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagum, has urged members to arrange for what he described because the “urgent task of rescuing Nigeria,” saying that at the same time as an opposition celebration, the PDP has a significant function to play in rebuilding the nation.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, November 5, on the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge throughout an emergency assembly of the celebration’s Board of Trustees, Damagum emphasised unity forward of the PDP’s nationwide conference scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The assembly, attended by high celebration figures together with Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, Acting National Secretary Koshedo Setonji, former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, and former Minister of Special Duties Tanimu Turaki, was held to finalise preparations for the upcoming conference.
The conference had confronted uncertainty following a ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which briefly restrained the PDP from continuing, citing irregularities within the signing of official notifications.
However, on Tuesday, Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court cleared the celebration to go forward, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to watch the method.
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Reflecting on the celebration’s challenges, Damagum stated, “We do not have to be in power to begin our mission to rescue, redirect, and rebuild this country. That mission begins right here, in opposition.”
He urged members to point out braveness in management, saying, “Our democracy is being dragged through the mud, and beyond that, we now face the risk of foreign interference and security threats that challenge our sovereignty. What Nigeria needs now is leadership—bold, visionary leadership; it must begin with us.”
Taking a swipe at defectors, Damagum criticised those that had joined the ruling celebration for abandoning their beliefs.
“It is not easy to be a politician in opposition. When even those who have attained the highest political offices abandon their core beliefs in a desperate rush to ‘seek connection with the centre,’ we must then truly honour and appreciate those among us who remain steadfast, loyal, and committed to the core tenets of democracy.”
At the top of the assembly, the BoT expressed full assist for the Damagum-led National Working Committee and recommended the latest Oyo court docket ruling as “victory for democracy, rule of law and political development.”
