FCT Minister Wike Launches Scathing Criticism of PDP Leadership
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has publicly criticized the acting National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Damagum, questioning his leadership capabilities and integrity during a televised interview.
In a detailed discussion on ‘Politics Today’ in Abuja, Wike characterized Damagum as a “tax collector” and claimed the PDP chairman was disconnected from crucial legal proceedings during the party’s internal disputes. “Damagum does not even know who his lawyer was when we went to court. That was how we were able to stabilize and keep Damagun,” Wike stated.
The minister further accused the PDP chairman of prioritizing financial gains over party principles, repeatedly referring to him as a “tax collector” and challenging him to pursue legal action if he felt defamed. “Let Damagum challenge me. Let him go to court and sue me and say, ‘Look, this was what the minister said about me.’ He knows he cannot,” Wike declared.
The criticism comes amid significant upheaval within the PDP, as the party grapples with factional disputes between groups aligned with Damagum and Samuel Anyanwu. Wike also addressed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent departure from the party, suggesting it was inevitable given Atiku’s history of leaving and returning to the PDP multiple times.
“Atiku has no choice but to go. Someone who wants to use the PDP, knowing that I am there, cannot get that platform. These are people who destroyed the party,” Wike asserted, referencing Atiku’s move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Responding to previous accusations that he had been secretly supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC), Wike pointed out the irony that his accusers had themselves defected to the ruling party. “The man you claimed is working for APC to kill PDP is still in the PDP, and you people have run away to join the party you said I am working for,” he noted.
When questioned about the exodus of his critics from the party, Wike dismissed their departures, stating simply that “They have never been committed.”
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