There are indications that prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party are not happy with the silence of the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, following claims by former Rivers State governor and newly appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that he notified him (Damagun) in writing when he was nominated as a ministerial designate by President Bola Tinubu.

The leadership of the party, including some members of the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee, had in the past few months openly called for Wike’s sanction for what they described as anti-party activities against the PDP.

Recall that apart from leading his then four other governors in the Integrity Group to work against the PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, Wike was one of the first frontline opposition figures to congratulate Tinubu for his election victory.

He led the quartet of current Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, former Abia, Benue and Enugu State governors – Okezie Ikpeazu, Samuel Ortom and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi respectively, on solidarity visit to the President few days after his inauguration.

But following his last week’s appointment as Minister of FCT, Wike disclosed that the party was fully aware of his nomination, adding that contrary to reports in the media, he wrote to the PDP leadership, notifying them of his nomination and got clearance to accept the offer.

“Before this appointment came, I wrote to the National Chairman. I wrote to the minority leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate. I wrote to the zonal chairman of the party and my state chairman.

“I wrote to my governor and all of them wrote me back and said ‘accept.’ I have my evidence documented. Forget these reggae dancers. I call them reggae dancers because when you’ve lost your opportunity, you’ve lost your opportunity because of arrogance and impunity,” Wike told journalists last week at his maiden press briefing. (Courtesy, excluding headline, Punch)

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