Minority officers of the House of Representatives have voiced their disapproval of 60 opposition lawmakers who called for the resignation of the acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagum.
News About Nigeria reports that the 60 members of the PDP, identifying themselves as the Coalition of Opposition Lawmakers, issued a warning on Monday, demanding Damagum’s resignation.
They threatened to leave the party if Damagum did not step down, advocating for a new acting Chairman from the North Central region to replace the suspended National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who hails from the same zone.
However, a statement released by key minority leaders, including Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, Deputy Minority Leader Ali Madaki, Minority Whip Ali Isah, and Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi, distances the minority caucus from the coalition’s stance.
The statement said, “Our attention has been drawn to a press release by the group and we state unequivocally that the minority caucus and the PDP caucus dissociate themselves from the said press statement.
“The said coalition of lawmakers led by Ikenga Ugochinyere is unknown to the parliament and both caucuses condemn in totality the absurd move, the uncouth and unparliamentary language of the group.
“The general public should take note that such a coalition is unknown to parliament, and their demands do not represent that of the minority parties.
“The said lawmakers should desist from further misinformation of the public and be more honourable in their conduct.”
Damagum assumed the role of acting National Chairman in March 2023 following a legal dispute that led to the suspension of Senator Iyorchia Ayu from the same position.
The PDP is scheduled to have its NEC meeting on April 18. The North-Central is expected to present its anointed candidate for the position of the party’s national chairman to the NEC on this date.
