The acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum has urged party members to forgive one another and resolve the party’s lingering internal crisis.
Naija News reports that the PDP is currently embroiled in a leadership crisis to remove Damagum and replace him as PDP chairman.
The crisis has created a division among the state governors elected on the PDP platform, while there are also cracks with the party’s National Working Committee.
However, speaking on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi at the conclusion of a two-day capacity-building workshop on “Effective Media Awareness and Peace in the Political Arena” held for social media handlers from the North-West states, Damagum insisted that PDP must reject the forces of division and remain focused on their collective mission.
Damagum who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Yusuf Dingyadi, also urged party members, social media handlers, and bloggers to refrain from spreading falsehoods or engaging in character assassination.
He said, “Our leadership will continue to embrace forgiveness, cohesion, and unity rather than falling prey to injustice and propaganda. We must reject the forces of division and discord and remain focused on our collective mission. The PDP is a party of progress, and we must carry everyone along at all levels.”
The acting PDP chairman also condemned those within the party who, rather than working towards peace and progress, had chosen to sow discord and bitterness.
He lamented that certain individuals or groups within the PDP had been amplifying internal disputes and personal conflicts in a manner that threatened the party’s integrity.
He said, “The PDP is much larger than any one individual. We must all focus on building a cohesive and progressive party that upholds the values of our founding fathers.
“Spreading lies, fuelling hatred, and engaging in character assassination are not only destructive but also dangerous to the party’s future. These actions risk tarnishing everything we have worked hard to build and will ultimately undermine the efforts of those who have fought for the party’s success.”