PDP Chairmanship not a matter of life and death – Damagum

Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has said the issue of the National Chairmanship of the party is not a matter of life and death.

Answering questions on how he survived the leadership crisis,  Damagum said even as Deputy National Chairman, he remains a member of the National Working Committee (NWC).

“This is not a matter of life and death. I am still an elected member of this NWC. Even If I revert to deputy national chairman I’m still a member of NWC. The issue of surviving or not does not emerge.”

Addressing NEC members, he also said there is need to constitute a strong reconciliation committee to unite many aggrieved members, especially those who fell out during the last party primaries.

“We must as urgent as possible reposition and strengthen the party for effective and constructive opposition; bringing on the table acceptable alternatives of policies and programmes in the governance of our dear nation; we must also as a matter of necessity bring the concerns of Nigerians to the forefront of political discourse,” he said.

Meanwhile, reading the communique after the NEC meeting that lasted for over three hours, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, stated that the NEC demands that the Federal government review some of its policies that have caused hardship.

He said the president should rejig his Economic Team to bring in persons of proven integrity and competence without bias and vested interest to assist in repositioning the economy.

He said: “NEC further demands that the Federal Government should review all policies and programmes which are stifling the economy with suffocating effect on the lives of citizens; including the increase in price of fuel without cushioning measures, hike in electricity tariff, increased taxation and implementation of adverse fiscal policies.

“NEC also condemns the creeping totalitarianism and tendencies towards a One-Party State which is inimical to the peace, stability and corporate existence of our nation as well as the development of Democracy and good governance in the country.

” NEC, after due consideration demands that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should urgently convene a special National Security Council meeting to proffer a holistic solution and measures to curb the disturbing insecurity with its attendant negative consequences on our national life.”