Umar Damagum

Umar Damagum, the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said that the party is ready to welcome Peter Obi and other former members back.

Damagum said this during a feature on ‘Nigeria Right Now’, a program on AIT, which aired on May 30.

Obi who was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, recently paid visits to some chieftains of the PDP, including Atiku Abubakar and there have been talks of a merger between both parties.

When asked to speak about Obi’s recent visits, Damagum was evasive.

“He (Obi) hasn’t visited me. I am not a poke-noser to be going about trying to know what the visits are all about,” he said.

Asked if he would want Obi back in the PDP, the party chair said;

“Not only him. Every other person that has been in this party, we want them back. The party like I told you, is a brand that you cannot take away. It will accommodate all of us. We are making steps in that direction. The true position is that the party has not been approached (for a merger). Maybe individuals are talking about that but as of today, we have not had any discussions as a party with any group. PDP has structures all over the country. Look at our performance. PDP can stand alone and win this election. PDP is a solid party and they can come in and join us. But I don’t think for now we are contemplating changing our name for any political party that would not add value to us.”

Damagum also spoke on the crisis in the PDP and the demand for the suspension of some members over alleged anti-party activities.

The PDP chair said instead of suspending members, reconciliation should be pursued.

“After all, most of the agitators for this suspension, go back to their states, what value have they added to the party?” he asked.

“You don’t just sit down because you are aggrieved with somebody or your personal hatred for somebody and you want the party to act along your own thinking.”