May 27, 2025 – Houston, Texas, USA - Diasporans for PDP and We Stand With PDP National Orientation Platform express profound concern over the deepening crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following recent developments and inflammatory statements that continue to undermine internal cohesion and the authority of the Party’s constitution. We find it deeply troubling that, rather than steering the Party toward renewal and unity, some of its most prominent figures have opted for divisive rhetoric and personal vendettas.
The recent outburst by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, exemplifies a culture of impunity and indiscipline that has festered for far too long within the PDP. At a time when Nigeria is facing immense economic and social challenges, the PDP should be focused on rebuilding itself as a credible opposition party, rooted in democratic values, transparency, and discipline. Instead, what we see is a hijacking of the Party’s vision by individuals who regard the PDP as a personal enterprise, undermining order, decorum, and collective responsibility.
The failure of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to assert its constitutional authority at its April 18, 2024 meeting was a missed opportunity to rescue the Party from this trajectory of disorder. If the NEC had taken the bold and necessary actions at that time, we would not be contending with the current situation involving Ambassador Damagum and Senator Anyanwu. The ongoing decay stems directly from high-level complicity, compromise, and corruption tolerated at the Party’s highest level, resulting in a breakdown of trust, credibility, and legitimacy.
We are particularly alarmed by the illegal actions taken by the PDP Governors Forum (PDP-GF), a respected but non-constitutional forum, which has repeatedly usurped the executive functions of the NEC, scheduling a National Convention, appointing a Convention Organizing Committee, and selecting its own members to lead it, in violation of Sections 31(2)(a)(b) and 47(6) of the PDP Constitution (2017, as amended). These actions are not only unconstitutional but disrespectful to the founding principles of internal democracy, fairness, and accountability.
The truth remains that the continued occupation of the position of Acting National Chairman by Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, who hails from the North-East, represents a blatant violation of Section 47(6) of our Constitution, which clearly stipulates that Senator Ayu’s replacement must come from the North Central zone, and more precisely from Benue State. The unwillingness of certain elements within the Party to uphold this provision has led to the disenfranchisement of an entire geopolitical zone, sowing seeds of further division and distrust.
The party cannot achieve reconciliation or stability without first restoring constitutional order. There can be no unity without accountability, no healing without justice, and no reform without discipline.
On May 10th, 2025, Diasporans for PDP held the most recent edition of its flagship event, the Civic Engagement Series, which brought PDP members and stakeholders together to discuss the future of our party. Based on the expressed desires of party members in attendance, Diasporans for PDP therefore calls on the NEC to take bold and definitive action at its next meeting. Specifically, we urge the following:
- Make proper and alternative arrangements and ensure that the May 27th NEC meeting is held as scheduled, despite Wike’s March 13, 2025 notice of revocation of PDP's right of occupancy over its secretariate on Plot 1970, Wuse I, Cadastral Zone A02, in Abuja.
- Enforce the provisions of Section 47(6) by immediately initiating the process to appoint a substantive National Chairman from Benue State, as required by the Constitution.
- Dissolve the current National Working Committee (NWC) and constitute a reputable Caretaker Committee to restore public confidence and administrative order.
- Sanction all individuals and groups who have consistently flouted the Party’s Constitution, including those involved in the manipulation of the Congress process and the usurpation of NEC’s authority.
- Nullify any process initiated by the PDP-GF that exceeds its advisory scope and is not rooted in constitutional authority.
- Re-establish the supremacy of NEC as the executive body responsible for major decisions, including the scheduling of the National Convention.
- Revisit and implement the recommendations of the Ikimi-led Disciplinary Committee, including appropriate actions on petitions and anti-party conduct.
- End the culture of selective enforcement and ensure that all members are held to the same standards of discipline and decorum.
As Hon. Victoria Pamugo, National Chair of Diasporans for PDP, stated, “This is not the time for half-measures or appeasement. The NEC must act decisively to rescue our Party from the hands of those who have weakened and discredited it. We must return to a path of constitutional discipline, internal democracy, and genuine party supremacy. Anything short of that is mere window dressing.”
The PDP must remember its role as the leading opposition party in Nigeria. Our credibility as a national political institution depends on our ability to enforce the rule of law internally. Until order is restored, beginning with the constitutionally mandated leadership transition, efforts at reconciliation or reform will remain superficial and ineffective.
Diasporans for PDP and We Stand With PDP National Orientation Platform reaffirm our full commitment to a principled, democratic, and united PDP. We call on all sincere stakeholders to speak up, stand up, and act now to restore the Party’s integrity before it is too late.
Diasporans for PDP is a United States-based and registered non-governmental organization with membership including but not limited to Austria, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States of America. For more information, visit www.diasporansforpdp.com
Signed:
- Honourable Mrs. Victoria Pamugo (Founder and National Chair, Diasporans for PDP, USA)
- Chidi Igwe, PhD (National Publicity Secretary, Diasporans for PDP, Canada)
- Dr. Dianabasi Udoh (Diasporans for PDP, Canada)
- Farouk Suleiman, PhD (Diasporans for PDP, United Kingdom)
- Mrs. Theodora Igwe (Diasporans for PDP, USA)
- Bilyaminu Auwal Romo, PhD (Diasporans for PDP, United Kingdom)
- Omoniyi Tobi Taiwo (Diasporans for PDP, Australia)
- Emmanuel Nnaemeka Amaefule (Diasporans for PDP, Austria)
- Prince Tony Adiele (Diasporans for PDP, Netherlands)