Coalition: Those Who Left PDP Will Return – PDP NWC

…We’ll be watching those de-marketing PDP, says Damagum

The acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Ilyas Damagum, has expressed strong confidence that members who recently defected to join a political coalition will eventually return to the party.

Speaking after a three-hour meeting of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, Damagum declared that the NWC has regained its unity and strength.

He was flanked by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

The NWC also resolved to convene the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, alongside other key party organ meetings, as a three-day event scheduled from July 23 to 25.

Addressing concerns over defections, Damagum urged those considering leaving the PDP to reconsider, noting that the party remains the most accommodating platform for true democrats.

“To those that are contemplating, they should not go. They have no place there, and there’s nowhere that will be as accommodating as our party,” he said. “But if they feel like going ahead, I wish them good luck — but I know they will come running back.”

He warned against actions aimed at demarketing the PDP, saying the party is monitoring such individuals and would take appropriate action when necessary.

Reaffirming the PDP’s resilience, Damagum said attempts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to intimidate or lure PDP members will fail in the build-up to the 2027 elections.

“To our members, I want to bring good tidings that your party is very, very intact; to APC, I want to send a message that you can continue to harass and buy our members but the 2027 election is between Nigerians and you so, it is better to start now and correct your ways.

“Hunger, insecurity, arbitrary expulsion of Nigerians is more than overwhelming.

“As you can see, we are all here as your NWC, as the NWC of this party; we remain united despite all the challenges and we have sat down to discuss all thorny issues and trash it out today.

“Our leaders have already come together to give us this leadership, this is what you can see in this NWC and I keep reiterating that this is the only party in the country that has lasted this long; we have mastered the act of conflict resolution, we know our problems and we solve it within ourselves,” Damagum said.

All the members of the PDP NWC who were at daggers drawn against one another few weeks ago were exchanging pleasantries at the meeting, including the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Vice Chairman ( South East), Chief Ali Odefa, National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Timothy Arapaja, Deputy National Secretary, Architect Setonji Koshoedo and the National Legal Adviser, Alhaji Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).

Damagum flatly declined reporters’ request to take few questions after his short briefing.