Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has publicly urged Umar Damagum, the suspended acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to officially switch allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Melaye’s call comes amid growing internal conflict within the PDP, which has resulted in Damagum’s suspension alongside several other top officials.
In a strongly-worded statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Melaye accused Damagum of being an instrument of sabotage within the party.
He described the suspended chairman as an “agent of destruction” whose actions had caused significant harm to the PDP. Expressing his frustrations, Melaye wrote:
“APC agent of destruction, enough is enough, Damagum. Go and join APC in peace. Bye-bye, Damagum, the harm you’ve done is enough.”
Damagum’s suspension is part of a broader shake-up within the PDP’s leadership.
A faction of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) recently announced the suspension of Damagum, alongside the party’s national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, reflecting deepening divisions within the party’s hierarchy.
However, the leadership tussle took a new turn as the Abuja Federal High Court issued an order restraining both the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) from removing Damagum from his position.
According to the court’s directive, no other individual may be recognized as the party’s acting national chairman until the PDP’s national convention, scheduled to take place in December 2025.
The crisis within the PDP has drawn attention to growing tensions between various factions within the party.
The suspension of several high-ranking officials, including Damagum, highlights the escalating struggle for control ahead of the convention.
At the same time, the court’s intervention has added a layer of complexity, ensuring that Damagum remains in office, at least for the time being, despite the efforts of opposing factions to replace him.
This internal discord comes at a time when the PDP is working to rebuild its influence and prepare for future elections.
With Damagum still at the helm under judicial protection, the party’s path forward remains uncertain.
As tensions continue to rise, observers are closely watching how these developments will shape the PDP’s leadership and electoral strategy in the coming months.
