Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Damagum, declared on Wednesday that no amount of blackmail or criticisms would intimidate him out of office.

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Damagum, who has been at the centre of the recent crisis in the main opposition party, told party leaders during the inauguration of the reconciliation committee, headed by former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, that he faulted the manner in which some leaders of the party have been making public statements against his style of administration.

He said, “Let me send a message to everyone talking about Damagum this, Damagum that – I cannot be intimidated. The more you mention me, the more popular I become.”

He said the criticisms had so enhanced his popularity to the extent that he might consider running for the presidency.

Responding to criticisms against his letter to the Appeal Court to counter an earlier letter by the legal adviser to the party, Damagum said: “Sometimes I feel sad. I want to use this opportunity to clear certain insinuations that have been trending on social media. Last I checked, the signatories of this party are the chairman and the secretary.“ Just because the chairman and secretary signed a letter, it has become an issue.

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People are making all sorts of insinuations about it. I don’t want to engage with the other person—it’s a distraction. “But it pains me when I see someone who knows the workings of the NWC going on television to mislead the audience and say things that are not correct. It is painful. Very, very painful.”

Damagum, who noted that there is a precedent for what we did, cited Buruji Kashamu’s case, saying that the chairman and secretary brought it to the Supreme Court.

He added, “There was also the issue of Anambra.”He expressed delight that he has always worked well with the secretary, in any situation, adding: “I don’t make decisions without consulting my members. I’ve always been proud of that. My door has always been open. So, nobody is going to intimidate me into abdicating my responsibility.”

Damagum vowed to proceed with his responsibilities without distractions, saying: “You can say all sorts of things. I know this is a buildup to the next election. ‘Damagum must go, Damagum must go.’ I thank God. People are making me very popular lately. Anytime you open social media or television, it’s ‘Damagum, Damagum.’

“Honestly speaking, I’ve started contemplating throwing myself into the ring and vying for the presidency of this country because I’ve become popular. Even though the negative publicity is meant to bring me down, I’m not deterred.”

“I have a responsibility to this party to keep it safe and stable. I intend to take all necessary actions to ensure the party remains stable. But I’ve reached a point where I have to speak out.”

He said he would remain faithful to the constitution of the party in carrying out his responsibilities.” And to my detractors, let me tell you, you’ll see more of that later because I will not abdicate my responsibility. But I will act within the confines of the law, as stipulated by the constitution.”

He warned those seeking to pull him down to be mindful of the effects of such a crisis on the party.He said,” So, for those interested in seeing Damagum’s downfall, this is a buildup to undermine me before we have NEC. But if you bring Damagum down and lose the party, what have you achieved? Because in trying to bring me down, you are also bringing down your party.”

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