Group calls for disbandment of Kogi PDP caretaker committee

An intra-party pressure group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), known as the PDP Frontliners, has called for the immediate disbandment of the Kogi PDP Caretaker Committee, citing concerns over alleged manipulation attempts by key members.

The group argued that the committee, led by Senator Laah Danjuma and Secretary Senator Philip Gyunka, has been involved in activities aimed at replacing legitimate congressional results with manipulated ones to serve the interests of a few individuals.

The controversy arose when the PDP Caretaker Committee in Kogi State reportedly attempted to replace the results of a free and fair ad-hoc delegates conference held on July 27, 2024, with a new congress scheduled for August 10.

The PDP Frontliners, through a statement signed by their leadership. Alhaji Hussein Mohammed (President), Mr. Moses Abidemi (Secretary), and Mr. Dan Okafor (Publicity Secretary) expressed their dissatisfaction with these actions, accusing a former Senator and a failed presidential aspirant of being behind the manipulation attempts.

According to the PDP frontliners, these individuals tried to impose their will on the party by manipulating the congress results for their benefit. The group praised the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) for promptly rejecting these attempts and issuing a memo dated August 7, 2024, which effectively blocked the controversial plans.

The statement also commended the stance of 18 out of 21 local government PDP chairmen in Kogi State who opposed the Caretaker Committee’s actions and wrote to the party’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, to express their concerns. The chairmen reportedly threatened legal action and refused to participate in the “emergency” congress, citing the manipulations as an attempt to subvert the democratic process within the party.

The PDP frontliners expressed disappointment in the Caretaker Committee members, particularly the Senators involved, criticising them for their lack of integrity and adherence to party processes.

The group emphasised that the authority to conduct congresses and primaries lies solely with the National Working Committee, as stipulated in the party’s guidelines.

In a memo addressed to the Kogi PDP Caretaker Committee, the PDP National Organising Secretary, Honourable Bature Umar, reinforced this position.

He reminded the committee that it does not have the constitutional right to conduct congresses or primaries, which are the exclusive powers of the NWC.

Umar directed the committee to immediately cease its activities that exceed its constitutional mandate.

The PDP Frontliners believe that the PDP can regain its status as Nigeria’s dominant political party by resisting such unethical practices and ensuring that the party’s processes remain transparent and democratic.

They warned against any attempts by individuals to manipulate the party’s internal processes for personal gain, asserting that such actions would undermine the party’s integrity and reduce its chances of success in future elections.

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