The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Damagum, has warned members of the party against acts of betrayal, saying that the “law of karma” will eventually catch up with those who have worked against the unity and progress of the party.
Damagum issued the warning in Abuja on Thursday during a meeting with the Forum of State PDP Chairmen, who visited him to show their support and reaffirm loyalty to his leadership amid the ongoing crisis within the party.
Speaking to the chairmen, Damagum urged members he described as “those the devil is using” to repent and seek wisdom, reminding them that loyalty to the PDP should come before personal interest. He emphasized that betrayal, especially of a party that has given many members political relevance, would not go unpunished either by God or by circumstance.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on our colleagues that the devil is using, to see wisdom in casting the devil in them because treachery, especially to an institution that has made you what you are today, will not heal,” he said.
He added, “You may be lucky now, but there is the law of karma. What goes around comes around. I think it is not too late to do justice to this party that has given you all. We exist because God exists, and He will judge us by our behaviour.”
Damagum noted that his calm approach to leadership should not be mistaken for weakness, saying that patience and faith in God were necessary during trying times.
Responding to recent claims that the PDP was on the verge of collapse due to internal conflicts and defections, Damagum dismissed such reports as false and exaggerated. He maintained that the party remains strong, organized, and capable of resolving its internal disagreements.
He likened the PDP to a “vehicle” that may face roadblocks from time to time but has the capacity to keep moving forward and overcome its challenges. “PDP is not gasping for breath,” Damagum insisted. “The party is still strong and functional. We have what it takes to navigate our challenges and continue to be a key player in Nigeria’s political system.”
The acting chairman assured members that the leadership was working behind the scenes to strengthen the party at all levels and prepare it for upcoming elections. He called on members to close ranks, support the party’s structures in their states, and focus on unity rather than division.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015, has faced several internal battles since losing power to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Disagreements over leadership positions, zoning arrangements, and control of party structures have repeatedly caused tension among members.
In 2022 and 2023, the party was deeply divided over the outcome of its presidential primary election, which produced Atiku Abubakar as candidate. The fallout led to the emergence of the “G5 Governors” — a group of five PDP governors who opposed the leadership of former National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu. The rift weakened the party’s unity and contributed to its poor performance in the 2023 general elections.
Following Ayu’s exit from office, Ambassador Umar Damagum was appointed in an acting capacity. However, his leadership has also faced challenges from some factions within the party who argue that his tenure should not be extended indefinitely. Despite these internal issues, Damagum has continued to project confidence in the party’s stability and future.
During Thursday’s meeting, the Forum of State PDP Chairmen expressed their continued support for Damagum’s leadership. The forum’s members described him as a stabilizing figure in a time of political uncertainty and urged all party stakeholders to respect constituted authority and work together for peace and progress.
The state chairmen also pledged to strengthen the party’s presence in their respective states, particularly as preparations begin for off-season elections and the 2027 general elections. They emphasized the need for collective action to rebuild trust among members and reconnect with Nigerians at the grassroots level.
Damagum’s message was both a warning and a plea. He reminded party members that disunity and betrayal would only weaken the PDP further, while loyalty and collective action could restore its glory days. “Sometimes, when I resort to the ways of God, people think it is a weakness,” he said. “But we owe everything to Him. He is watching us and will judge us by our actions.”
He encouraged all members who may have worked against the party in the past to make amends, stressing that reconciliation was still possible. “It is not too late to do justice to the party that has made you what you are today,” he said.
