Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has blamed the party\u2019s lingering woes on members who have sacrificed ideology for personal ambition, describing the current crisis as \u201cself-inflicted.\u201d<\/h2>\n
Naija News<\/strong> reports that Damagum stated this on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting of the party\u2019s founding fathers and stakeholders.<\/p>\n Addressing the gathering, Damagum cautioned members against aligning with other political groups while remaining PDP members.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is either you are a PDP member or not, as you cannot belong to two political parties at a time,\u201d<\/em> he declared.<\/p>\n The PDP chieftain lamented that the party\u2019s foundational vision had been repeatedly undermined by self-serving politics.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the Obasanjo era to this moment, we have too often jettisoned ideology in favour of personal ambition. This has cost us dearly,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/p>\n He said, \u201cOur founding vision, our commitment to internal democracy, enduring mechanisms for dialogue and reconciliation, and our true national outlook\u2014these are not ordinary attributes. They remain our guiding strength today.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n While acknowledging the exodus of members from the PDP, Damagum expressed optimism that many would return.<\/p>\n \u201cLet it be said and known that our doors remain open to those who wish to return, and it is my earnest prayer that in their return, they may rediscover themselves. After all, we are still the party that gave many their first political home,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/p>\n Damagum reminded members that the PDP was not founded as a vehicle for ambition, but rather as a response to a national crisis.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, again, Nigeria is in dire need of direction. Our democratic values are under strain, the cost of living is crushing our people, the younger generation is losing faith in leadership, and the economy continues to suffer in depressing stagnation,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/p>\n Also speaking at the event, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who chairs the PDP Governors\u2019 Forum, described defection as an unwise political decision.<\/p>\n \u201cIf someone wants to leave PDP to go to another place, how is this a smart move in thought and thinking?\u201d<\/em> he queried.<\/p>\n He stressed that PDP\u2019s national reach and structure remain unmatched, urging aggrieved members to consider the party\u2019s legacy before jumping ship.<\/p>\n He said, \u201cYes, politics is local. Some may go due to certain reasons, calculations, and permutations, but I think they will be proved wrong.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cEven our elders who have gone, we don\u2019t want to diminish them or abuse them. We are telling them with humility: come back.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, also addressed the gathering, assuring stakeholders that he would not abandon the party as he did in 2013.<\/p>\n Saraki said, \u201cI left in anger, but anger does not provide good leadership.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe have problems and challenges, but we must find solutions to address them. Leaving the party does not help in solving the problems of the party.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n He urged members to embrace dialogue and rebuild the party\u2019s internal strength, assuring them that the PDP would overcome its difficulties.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n