Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iliya Damagun, has attributed the continued membership of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and others in the party to the failure of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee led by former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Speaking on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mana Hanya on Saturday, Damagun criticized the committee for its inaction over numerous petitions submitted during a turbulent period within the party.
“The Committee received over 40 petitions regarding internal crises but acted only on the one involving the National Secretary,” Damagun said. “Had the Committee addressed those issues thoroughly, perhaps we wouldn’t be facing the challenges we have today.”
He noted that there were sufficient grounds for the expulsion of Wike and other dissenting members but accused those then in positions of authority of deliberately avoiding action.
“Many of them had longstanding ties with Wike and benefited from his generosity,” Damagun stated. “My only offense is assuming leadership after those relationships deteriorated.”
According to Damagun, Wike had made his opposition to the party clear even before the 2023 general elections. “We recommended that the G5 governors be expelled, but nothing was done. Their actions only served to weaken the party’s standing.”
Addressing recent calls for Wike’s removal, Damagun emphasized his commitment to unity. “There’s pressure on me now to expel him, but my priority is peace. If we continue down the path of expulsions instead of resolving conflicts, we may eventually have no party left.”