Samuel Omang
In what appears to be his reaction to a major announcement by his party on Wednesday, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has faulted the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagum, for directing the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, to resume duty at the party’s national secretariat.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Arterial Road N20 interchange bridge in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike said Damagum lacked the authority to give such an order.
“I watched on national television and heard the acting national chairman directing the national secretary to resume. The national secretary is not your appointee.
“He has been doing his work and will continue to do so. You can’t ask him to resume because of the illegalities you’re perpetrating,” Wike said.
The minister accused Damagum of poor leadership and slammed the PDP’s recent visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission, calling it “ignorant and shameful.”
“A political party now goes to INEC asking what to do. If, because of your ignorance of the law, you went there, that’s unfortunate. The law doesn’t excuse ignorance,” he said.
He urged party leaders to seek guidance instead of acting out of ego or financial interests.
The minister accused Damagum of poor leadership and slammed the PDP’s recent visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission, calling it “ignorant and shameful.”
“A political party now goes to INEC asking what to do. If, because of your ignorance of the law, you went there, that’s unfortunate. The law doesn’t excuse ignorance,” he said.
He urged party leaders to seek guidance instead of acting out of ego or financial interests.
“Don’t let ego or monthly allocations mislead you. If you want to learn, come to us — we’ll teach you how to handle it,” Wike added.
Earlier, the PDP reversed its earlier stance on Anyanwu and suspended its planned National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for June 30, following a meeting with INEC.
Damagum described the decision as difficult but widely accepted among key stakeholders, stating that the party has resolved to reintegrate Anyanwu into the National Working Committee.
He added that the PDP will now hold an expanded National Caucus meeting on June 30 in place of the previously scheduled NEC meeting