The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagum, has urged members to prepare for what he described as the “urgent task of rescuing Nigeria,” saying that even as an opposition party, the PDP has a major role to play in rebuilding the country.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, November 5, at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge during an emergency meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees, Damagum emphasised unity ahead of the PDP’s national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The meeting, attended by top party figures including Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, Acting National Secretary Koshedo Setonji, former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, and former Minister of Special Duties Tanimu Turaki, was held to finalise preparations for the upcoming convention.
The convention had faced uncertainty following a ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which temporarily restrained the PDP from proceeding, citing irregularities in the signing of official notifications.
However, on Tuesday, Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court cleared the party to go ahead, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to monitor the process.
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Reflecting on the party’s challenges, Damagum said, “We do not have to be in power to begin our mission to rescue, redirect, and rebuild this country. That mission begins right here, in opposition.”
He urged members to show courage in leadership, saying, “Our democracy is being dragged through the mud, and beyond that, we now face the risk of foreign interference and security threats that challenge our sovereignty. What Nigeria needs now is leadership—bold, visionary leadership; it must begin with us.”
Taking a swipe at defectors, Damagum criticised those who had joined the ruling party for abandoning their ideals.
“It is not easy to be a politician in opposition. When even those who have attained the highest political offices abandon their core beliefs in a desperate rush to ‘seek connection with the centre,’ we must then truly honour and appreciate those among us who remain steadfast, loyal, and committed to the core tenets of democracy.”
At the end of the meeting, the BoT expressed full support for the Damagum-led National Working Committee and commended the recent Oyo court ruling as “victory for democracy, rule of law and political development.”