A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Senior Special Assistant on Media to former Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Ben Atu, has accused the party?s national chairman, Umar Damagum, of abandoning the dethroned local government chairmen in Edo State.

Atu criticised Damagum for repeating the same mistakes he was appointed to rectify, claiming the party has been left adrift with no efforts made to reconcile aggrieved members.

He condemned Damagum?s role in the Rivers State PDP crisis, highlighting his directive to the deputy national publicity secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, to issue a disclaimer against the national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba. Damagum had reportedly attacked Ologunagba for affirming the National Working Committee?s (NWC) acceptance of a court verdict recognising Governor Siminalaye Fubara?s faction as the authentic Rivers State executive.

?If the national chairman can be proactive in countering Fubara?s victory, why did he not issue the same order for solidarity a month after Edo State local government chairmen were removed? If he is a unifier, he would not have issued a counter-directive to the national publicity secretary?s statement. His special interest in Rivers State?s case needs explanation,? Atu said.

Expressing concern over political party operations in Nigeria, Atu described them as ?hustle associations? controlled by self-proclaimed leaders benefiting from political crises. He blamed the fragile state of the PDP on a lack of political commitment to national causes and decried the victimisation of Ologunagba for supporting Governor Fubara?s faction.

Atu criticised Damagum?s leadership, stating, ?The duty of a leader is to bring sides together. Damagum?s posture shows he is serving peculiar interests, not the party?s. A national chairman should lead from the front, but he has failed.? (The Sun)