By Garba Adamu Gwangwangwan
The embattled Acting National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has expressed strong criticism of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, stating that the current economic hardship in Nigeria is a result of electing incompetent leaders into office. Damagum highlighted how some sections of the electorate were swayed by superficial inducements, such as wrappers and food items, to cast their votes, which has now led to widespread suffering under the APC-led government.
Damagum, who is currently facing suspension by a faction of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) alongside the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, for alleged disloyalty, accused voters of allowing themselves to be influenced by petty handouts to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections. According to him, this form of inducement blinded many Nigerians to the need for credible and experienced leaders.
He made these remarks during a press briefing on Friday, following a visit to Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State. The visit was part of efforts to resolve the internal challenges facing the PDP, including Damagum’s alleged suspension.
Damagum lamented the ongoing hardship experienced by Nigerians, attributing it to the policies of the Tinubu administration. He argued that the APC was ill-prepared for governance from the outset, asking rhetorically, “The APC was never prepared for governance, so how do you expect any good to come out from them?”
He further emphasized the irony of those who were easily swayed by small incentives during the election, noting, “Those that collected spaghetti and wrappers to bring in this government are feeling it more than anybody else. This should serve as a lesson for all of us to prioritize credibility. We need leaders who are proven, tested, and ready to govern us—not those who believe it’s simply ‘their time’ to rule, as has been said.”
In response to Damagum’s visit, Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, downplayed reports of a faction within the party, stating that there were no significant divisions. He reassured party members and the public that any issues regarding suspensions or internal crises would be resolved amicably, signaling a potential path forward for the embattled party leadership.
Governor Mohammed’s remarks come amid increasing pressure on the PDP to maintain unity ahead of future elections, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the APC’s dominance in national politics.
