PDP At The Precipice, As Atiku, Wike, Damagun Battles for the Soul of the Party.

PoliticsPDP At The Precipice, As Atiku, Wike, Damagun Battles for the Soul of the Party.

A Party in Disarray: Atiku and the Plot to Unseat Damagum
For months, the PDP has been teetering on the brink of chaos, with internal disputes festering beneath the surface. The elevation of Umar Damagum to the role of acting National Chairman following the ousting of Iyorchia Ayu was seen by many as a temporary solution to quell internal unrest. However, it has become clear that Damagum’s leadership is anything but stable. Accusations of failing to implement much-needed reforms to reinvigorate the party have dogged his tenure, and now, it appears that the PDP’s top brass, including Atiku, have had enough.

Atiku’s decision to back the anti-Damagum faction underscores the deepening fractures within the party. His alignment with this group represents a significant power move that could either save the PDP from itself or spell its doom. At the heart of this battle is not just the fate of Damagum but a broader struggle for control of the party ahead of future elections.

Sources within the party have confirmed that Atiku reached out to members of the NWC in recent weeks, advocating for Damagum’s removal. One senior NWC member, speaking anonymously, revealed: “We are not alone; important leaders in the party, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have spoken with some of us.”

These revelations indicate that the anti-Damagum campaign is gaining momentum, bolstered by the support of Atiku, who is widely regarded as one of the PDP’s most influential figures. The implication is clear: the former Vice President is not simply a passive observer of the party’s troubles but an active participant seeking to steer the PDP toward a new leadership direction.

A Rift Among Governors: The Pro- and Anti-Damagum Camps
Atiku’s involvement has further complicated the situation, creating a rift among the 13 state governors elected under the PDP platform. Seven governors, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, are firmly in the anti-Damagum camp, while four others, led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, have thrown their support behind Damagum.

The pro-Damagum governors, who are largely aligned with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), argue that Damagum’s leadership should remain intact to ensure continuity within the party. Wike, a former PDP stalwart who played a key role in opposing Atiku’s presidential bid during the 2023 elections, is at the centre of this protracted power struggle. His feud with Atiku has deepened party divisions, and his influence over the pro-Damagum faction suggests that this battle is as much about personalities as it is about party ideology.

Wike’s decision to back Damagum has drawn sharp criticism from anti-Damagum forces, with many accusing him of undermining party unity for personal gain. His conflict with the PDP Governors Forum, particularly regarding the control of the Rivers State PDP structure, has only intensified tensions. When Damagum’s NWC backed the retention of control of the Rivers State PDP structure by Wike rather than transferring it to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, it inflamed the situation further, stoking accusations of betrayal and political opportunism.

Atiku’s Calculated Move: A Question of Leadership and Legacy
For Atiku, supporting Damagum’s ouster is not just about settling old scores with Wike—it’s about safeguarding the future of the PDP. According to insiders, Atiku believes that Damagum’s leadership has failed to address key challenges facing the party, and his continued role as acting Chairman could weaken the PDP ahead of upcoming elections. The former Vice President is reportedly keen to see a return to the party’s constitutional norms, which would see Damagum stepping back to his previous role as Deputy National Chairman (North), allowing for the appointment of a new Chairman from the North Central zone.

One source close to Atiku remarked: “It’s not about Damagum; the former Vice President is focused on democracy and the PDP. Atiku prefers to work discreetly to repair what has been damaged.”

This suggests that Atiku’s ultimate goal is to strengthen the PDP, ensuring that it remains a viable alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections. By pushing for Damagum’s removal, Atiku is positioning himself as a guardian of party principles, determined to preserve the PDP’s legacy as Nigeria’s leading opposition party.

But this strategy is not without risks. Should the anti-Damagum forces fail in their quest to unseat him, the consequences for Atiku’s influence within the PDP could be severe. Moreover, the fallout from this internal battle could further alienate voters, many of whom are already disillusioned by the party’s ongoing infighting.

PDP’s Struggle for Relevance: Can the Party Survive Another Power Struggle?
The stakes in this crisis are incredibly high, not just for Damagum and Atiku, but for the entire PDP. Since its inception, the PDP has prided itself on being a broad-based party capable of appealing to a wide range of Nigerian voters. But in recent years, the party has struggled to maintain its relevance, especially following the rise of the APC and the dramatic shifts in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Damagum’s failure to push through critical reforms has left many party members questioning whether the PDP is capable of regaining its former glory. His perceived leniency towards Wike has only exacerbated these concerns, leading many to call for new leadership that can unify the party and steer it toward electoral success.

Some analysts believe that the current power struggle within the PDP is symptomatic of a broader identity crisis facing the party. With key figures like Atiku and Wike pulling the party in opposite directions, it is unclear whether the PDP can overcome its internal divisions in time for the next general elections.

The Road Ahead: Reconciliation or Ruin?
The establishment of reconciliation and disciplinary committees by the PDP NWC on August 21 may offer a glimmer of hope for resolving the crisis. The reconciliation committee, led by former Osun State Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, is tasked with mending the fractures within the party. Meanwhile, the disciplinary committee, headed by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Ikimi, will handle matters of party discipline and review petitions from aggrieved members.

While these committees may provide a structured avenue for addressing the PDP’s internal disputes, the question remains: is it too little, too late? Timothy Osadolor, a PDP NEC member and Deputy National Youth Leader, has called on party leaders to refrain from public verbal attacks and allow the committees to do their work. But with so much at stake, it is unclear whether key figures like Atiku, Wike, and Damagum will heed this call for restraint.

The coming weeks will be critical for the PDP. As the party grapples with its leadership crisis, the decisions made by its key stakeholders will shape not only its immediate future but also its long-term prospects as a viable opposition force in Nigeria.

Conclusion: A Party at a Crossroads
The PDP’s internal crisis, now exacerbated by Atiku Abubakar’s backing of anti-Damagum forces, has plunged the party into one of its most significant challenges in recent years. As the battle for leadership intensifies, the future of the party hangs in the balance. Whether the PDP can emerge from this crisis stronger and more united, or whether it will continue to unravel, remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the actions of its key players—Atiku, Damagum, Wike, and others—will determine the course of Nigerian politics for years to come.

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