An open letter to PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagun

Dear Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum

TAKING A STAND: CONFRONTING LEADERSHIP MISCONDUCT HEAD-ON

I am writing to you with grave concern regarding the current state of affairs within our party. It is evident that your actions, as well as those of the National Working Committee, are leading our party down a path of self-destruction.

The recent instances of irregularities, malpractice, and anti-democratic activities orchestrated under your leadership have brought shame and disgrace upon our party. Your blatant disregard for the principles outlined in our party’s constitution, coupled with the unabashed collection of money for personal gain, reflects a complete abandonment of the values that our party once stood for.

I want to make it unequivocally clear that you are solely responsible for the chaos and turmoil that have engulfed our party as of today. Your reckless disregard for the rule of law and the democratic process has not only eroded the trust of our members but has also alienated us from the electorate. This was evidence in Kogi and Imo gubernatorial elections. In Kogi, you gave the ticket to a political comedian instead of allowing the people to make their choice. In Imo, you refuse to release the whole money meant to prosecute the election that was sure for PDP to win. In Edo, you were also alleged to have collected the sum of $2, 000, 000 from Gov. Godwin Obaseki to compromise the entire process, leading to nominating a flagbearer for the state chapter of the party. A chairman who is supposed to ensure governors are using tax payers money to develop their respective state, thereby bringing glory upon the party, is after collecting the very money meant to bring governance closer to the people. You prefer the fullness of your pocket to achieving the ideal, vision, and programs of our great party.

It is abundantly clear that if immediate action is not taken to rectify the damage you have caused, our party is doomed to collapse in the near future. The impending failure of our party in the upcoming governorship elections can be directly attributed to your egregious misconduct and dereliction of duty. You have by your actions and greed force Edo State to the path that Zamfara and Rivers APC once toed. This same recklessness cost Plateau state chapter of our party all the National Assembly members their hard earned victory. Today, the Edo State chapter of the party is back to the court, as aggrieved aspirants, leaders, members, and stakeholders seek redress in the comfort of the law. Despite the court order, there were two primaries held in Edo State, and two flagbearers emerged.

As an actor in the state polity, I am bold to tell you that you’re a clog in the wheel of our progress as a party, both in the state and at the national level. APC is the ruling party in Nigeria, having a president and majority of the National Assembly member, yet declared their primary inconclusive because four (4) aspirants objected to the result declared. Yet, PDP a party in opposition with so much internal wranglings and unending battles is calm despite all glaring evidences of malpractice and primary electoral fraud, disregarding the complaint of nine (9) out of ten (10) aspirants.

I have earlier spoken to you on the need to ensure that the process is free, fair, credible, and transparent. The public was and is still watching. We expected a level playing field for all, and the outcome of the entire process would have been embraced by all. We expected a process that will be concluded as “No Victor, No Vanquish.”

I demand that you take full responsibility for your actions and step down from your position as chairman. Your continued presence at the helm of our party only serves to perpetuate further division and destruction.

I won’t forget mentioning to you that “You and Bature have been paid the wages of being the undertaker that will carry the casket of Edo State Chapter of PDP to the grave, just as you body and shamelessly carried that of Kogi State. PDP Nigeria is in the ICU right now. Are you waiting to still carry the casket of the national body of the party?

Furthermore, I call for an independent investigation into the widespread corruption and malfeasance that have plagued our party under your leadership, and all your cohorts must be investigated, too. Bature and others must not be left out. Those found guilty of wrongdoing must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

The survival of our party depends on your immediate resignation and the implementation of genuine reforms to restore integrity and accountability within our ranks. Failure to heed this warning will result in irreversible damage to our party’s reputation and legacy.

Let me officially congratulate you for effortlessly handing over the Edo 2024 gubernatorial victory to the opposition even before the election started. Edo gubernatorial election is difficult to rig. When APC, LP, or any other party win, nobody should cry. This is your simple gift to the opposition.

I await your prompt response and expect decisive action to be taken without delay. Your resignation will save the party a lot of troubles. You have been more than a clog in the wheel of our party’s progress, as occasioned by your lack of leadership skills and experience. Take a bow now!

Sincerely,
Omobumhe Bob-Manuel Umoru
(Jesus Army)

Cc.

The Acting Chairman and Members of BOT

The PDP Governors Forum

The Members of the NEC

The National Secretary

The South-South Zonal Chairman

The South-East Zonal Chairman

The South-West Zonal Chairman

The North-Central Zonal Chairman

The North-East Zonal Chairman

The North-West Zonal Chairman

The National Coordinator of PDP Mobilizers.