CurrentReport Blog The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has fired back at Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), for claiming the PDP is “dead.”
Speaking on Tuesday in an interview with the Hausa Service of the BBC, Damagum emphasized the pivotal role the PDP played in shaping Kwankwaso’s political career. This response comes after Kwankwaso made the controversial statement during a BBC interview on Monday.
Damagum stated, “It (PDP) nurtured him (Kwankwaso) and contributed significantly to his political success. We still hold hope that he might return to the party and contribute to its rejuvenation, so we can collectively address the injustices of the current government.”
PDP’s Response to Kwankwaso’s Exit
The acting chairman questioned the impact of Kwankwaso’s decision to leave the PDP in 2015 and later form the NNPP, highlighting the challenges faced by his new party.
“Senator Kwankwaso may have left, but how many states did he win with his new party? The facts speak for themselves. For over two decades, the PDP has remained steadfast, maintaining its identity and producing governors and lawmakers across the country,” Damagum argued.
He further added that alliances formed by other parties without the PDP have repeatedly failed to secure significant electoral victories.
The Future of the PDP and Kwankwaso’s Role
Damagum admitted the PDP has faced internal challenges but maintained that the party remains resilient. Reflecting on Kwankwaso’s criticisms, he said:
“I admit that some of his claims about the challenges we faced back then are valid. As the Deputy National Chairman (North) at the time, my powers were limited, but we tried to resolve the issues. Unfortunately, those efforts fell short.”
The acting chairman concluded with a message of reconciliation, expressing hope that Kwankwaso might return to the PDP to address the challenges facing Nigerians under the current administration.
PDP’s Enduring Influence
Damagum’s comments underscore the PDP’s resilience despite defections and internal challenges. As one of Nigeria’s oldest political parties, the PDP has continued to produce leaders across all levels of government, solidifying its influence in the country’s political landscape.
