• I’m stuck with PDP, Lamido vows, declares war on ingrates
• Slams Tinubu’s tour to St Lucia

As some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members seem to be playing card games with the party, the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, yesterday, pulled the big stick, warning those engaged in activities that de-market the party to retrace their steps or face sanctions.

However, like Peter promised Jesus Christ in the Bible, a founding member of the party, Dr Sule Lamido, declared that he would not abandon the party he helped build, no matter the situation.

Lamido slammed a blistering critique on President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the Caribbean Island nation of Saint Lucia, where he was honoured with a knighthood, calling it a “vain show of self-gratification unbecoming of a serious leader.”

After meeting with the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja, yesterday, Damagum emphasised that the PDP remains intact and united despite internal rifts and external pressures. He expressed concern over statements made by some prominent party leaders on Tuesday, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President David Mark, who publicly criticised the current state of the party and called for a broader coalition to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

In a direct response, Damagum said: “I want to re-emphasise that if you are a member of PDP, we are drawing a line for those that go to de-market the party. We will watch them and take appropriate actions at the right time. If you believe in this party, you should be an ambassador that protects the fortunes this party has given to citizens of this country.”

He described the APC-led government as oppressive, citing worsening hunger, insecurity and economic hardship, but maintained that the PDP must offer a disciplined and united front, not internal sabotage.

“To APC, I want to send a message: you can continue to harass and buy our members, but the 2027 election is between Nigerians and the APC. It is better to start now and correct your ways,” Damagum added.

His remarks followed scathing comments from a group of senior PDP stakeholders on Tuesday, who accused the APC government of mismanaging the country and labelled the PDP a “shadow of its old self.” The leaders lamented what they described as the collapse of democratic institutions and the failure of the opposition to provide a credible alternative to the ruling party.

In their statement, the PDP stakeholders declared: “The PDP, which is organic with the discipline, capacity and history to lead and save Nigeria, is now a shadow of its old self. The heatwave unleashed by the APC Federal Government through threats, blackmail and patronage has forced elected officers in government to abandon the PDP.”

They called on Nigerians and other opposition figures to unite under a single front to defeat the APC in the next general elections. However, Damagum dismissed claims of the party being in disarray and stressed that the PDP remains the only political party in Nigeria with deep institutional experience and conflict-resolution capacity.

PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is scheduled to meet from July 23 to 25, to deliberate on key party issues, including unity efforts ahead of the 2027 elections. Damagum assured the party faithful that the gathering would help consolidate internal cohesion.

Meanwhile, in an interview, yesterday, in Abuja, Lamido did not hide his frustration with events in his party, blasting some former allies as “ingrates” and accusing them of sabotaging the PDP from within.

He said: “The PDP dignified them. We gave them visibility, wealth and influence. Now, on behalf of their paymasters, they are tearing it apart. These are political orphans trying to eat the womb that birthed them.”

Despite mounting calls for him to defect or join a new coalition, Lamido remained resolute, noting: “The PDP may be sick, but I will stay and fight for its survival. Abandoning it now would be like killing the future of Nigeria’s democracy. If we all leave, the vultures win.”

The former governor of Jigawa State described the President’s trip to Saint Lucia as a tragic reflection of Nigeria’s shrinking global stature under Tinubu’s emperor-like governance.

“Why would a serious leader chase vanity honours while his house is burning? Nigeria is a large, proud nation. What bigger honour is there than being its President?” he wondered.