Former Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Illiya Damagum, on Tuesday formally handed over leadership of the party to the newly inaugurated National Working Committee (NWC) led by Tanimu Turaki.
The handover ceremony, held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, took place ahead of the expiration of the previous NWC’s tenure on December 8 and against the backdrop of an ongoing legal dispute involving the faction allied with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The event was attended by some former members of the outgone NWC, who joined Damagum in formally transferring responsibilities to the new leadership.Damagum said the Turaki-led NWC had been entrusted with the crucial task of stabilising and repositioning the party, noting that the experience of past leaders would serve as a useful guide.
He acknowledged that Turaki’s emergence came at a challenging moment for the PDP, but expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to steer the party through its present difficulties.
“The beauty of it is that we were able to surmount all the obstacles that we faced, and we will continue to surmount them,” Damagum said.
Despite the internal crisis, the former chairman maintained that the PDP’s prospects remained strong, describing it as the “party to beat” in Nigeria’s political landscape.“That’s why they lose sleep about PDP. They keep putting different hurdles in our way, but God will see us through. We are positive. God is a just God; He does not support injustice,” he added.
Damagum warned that those responsible for the party’s internal troubles might enjoy temporary relief but would ultimately face consequences for their actions.
The new NWC is expected to commence work immediately as the party moves to heal divisions and consolidate ahead of upcoming political engagements.
