Atiku Abubakar Urges Supporters to Trust in God Amid PDP Crisis

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria, has called on his supporters to have faith in God's power to grant authority, as the party confronts internal conflicts. The PDP has taken steps to address the crisis by reconstituting its Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees, while acting national chairman Umar Damagum has managed to retain his position with the backing of PDP governors.

The PDP's National Executive Committee (NEC) has extended Damagum's tenure as acting national chairman until August, when a new chairman is set to be elected. Governor Bala Mohammed, chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, emphasized the party's commitment to resolving leadership issues and adhering to the party constitution over the next two months, without causing further discord. The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, confirmed that the matter of party leadership will be addressed at the upcoming NEC meeting scheduled for August 15th.

In addition to reconstituting the Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees to ensure the party's stability, the NEC has also extended the mandate of the Party Constitution Amendment Committee. Amidst the ongoing crisis, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar reminded his supporters that ultimately, it is God who bestows power.

The 98th PDP NEC meeting saw embattled acting national chairman Damagum survive attempts to remove him from office, with the NEC granting him a four-month extension to oversee the conduct of party congresses in states with executive vacancies. This decision came despite allegations of anti-party activities leveled against Damagum by opposition lawmakers, who claimed that retaining him would enable the inclusion of All Progressives Congress (APC) members in PDP state executives.

The PDP North Central stakeholders had also demanded that the acting chairman position be given to their region, as originally planned by the party. During the NEC meeting, Atiku Abubakar and other party leaders were present, although Atiku did not address the gathering.

The NEC meeting concluded peacefully, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for comprehensive reconciliation and stability within the party. The PDP governors' forum expressed confidence in the Damagum-led National Working Committee, asserting that the party remains united and guided by experience and adherence to its constitution.

Why this matters: The ongoing crisis within the PDP highlights the challenges faced by Nigeria's main opposition party as it prepares for the upcoming general elections. The party's ability to resolve internal conflicts and present a united front will be crucial in its bid to regain power at the national level.

As the PDP works towards reconciliation and stability, the party has also expressed concerns over the policies of the ruling APC government, including the escalating insecurity, economic hardship, and the recent hike in electricity tariffs. Acting PDP chairman Umar Damagum and the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Abdulkadir Bala Mohammed, have assured that there will be no implosion or dissenting voices within the party, as it focuses on <a href="https://thenationon

Key Takeaways

• Atiku calls on supporters to trust God's power amid PDP's internal conflicts.
• PDP extends acting chair Damagum's tenure until August party congress.
• PDP reconstitutes Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees, extends Constitution Amendment Committee.
• Damagum survives attempts to remove him, despite allegations of anti-party activities.
• PDP focuses on resolving conflicts and presenting a united front for upcoming elections.