We won’t lose sleep over ill-fated coalition – Damagum

Acting National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has said the party won’t lose sleep over the “ill-fated coalition” being championed by its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar. Daily Trust reports that Atiku and other opposition leaders including former governors of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and Kaduna, Nasir […]

Acting National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has said the party won’t lose sleep over the “ill-fated coalition” being championed by its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar.

Daily Trust reports that Atiku and other opposition leaders including former governors of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, formed a coalition which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

But in his welcome address at the National Executive Committee meeting of the PDP, on Thursday, Damagun said, “On this issue, I am pleased to report that this political experiment is nothing to lose sleep over. They say, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

“Some persons have recently learned this truth in the most uncomfortable way. Many who jumped on the coalition bandwagon have already returned to our fold.

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“Some even claim they never left and merely attended a meeting, we accept their confessions without prejudice. Let me add that, this reversal is not limited to PDP members alone.

“Individuals from other political parties who initially joined this coalition have realised that the venture is ill-fated and their swift return is proof of this.”

He said the PDP remains the only party that is not only poised and ready to take back power, but also the only party with the structure, national acceptability, and legacy capable of bearing the weight of the nation.

Speaking further, Damagun said, “I must emphasise that it is because of your steadfastness that when we eventually reclaim the presidency, the next PDP president will not be a political orphan left to the mercy of hostile forces.

“Beyond electoral victories, our legislators play a crucial role in both governance and party life. Through your actions, anti-people policies are challenged and checked.

“You serve as role models to our state assembly members, who themselves are doing tremendous work delivering the dividends of representative democracy and supporting the executive arm in PDP-led states.”

Damagun urged members of NEC to be of one mind, speak truthfully, make wise recommendations without prejudice, and to treat the meeting with the respect it deserves.