In a scathing attack, Dino Melaye, former senator and PDP’s recent governorship candidate in Kogi State, has accused top officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of ruining the party from within.
Taking to his X account on Saturday, Melaye singled out Iliya Damagum, the acting national chairman, Samuel Anyanwu, the national secretary, and Umar Bature, the national organizing secretary, for what he described as the “commercialization and privatization” of the once-powerful opposition party.
“End of the road for PDP as Damagum, Bature, and Anyanwu irredeemably destroyed the party,” Melaye wrote in his fiery post. He went on to lament the state of the PDP, saying, “PDP is now once upon a time,” suggesting that the party’s legacy has been tarnished beyond repair.
Melaye’s accusations come amid ongoing internal struggles within the PDP. Iliya Damagum took over as acting national chairman on March 28, 2023, after a court barred Iyorchia Ayu, the former national chair, from continuing in his role. Ayu, a former Senate President, had been suspended by his ward in Benue State over alleged anti-party activities, leading to his eventual ousting.
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Ayu initially challenged his removal in court but later withdrew his lawsuit in April, leaving the party in the hands of Damagum. However, under Damagum’s leadership, Melaye and other party stalwarts have expressed growing discontent, claiming that the PDP has lost its way due to poor leadership.
The internal rift within the PDP is not new, but Melaye’s public outburst highlights the deepening divisions that have plagued the party. Once a dominant force in Nigerian politics, the PDP has struggled to maintain its relevance in recent years, particularly in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections.
Melaye’s comments suggest that the party’s current leadership is exacerbating these challenges, leading to further decline. With key figures like Melaye openly criticizing the leadership, the future of the PDP looks increasingly uncertain.
