Report that acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Ilyas Umar Damagum, is on his way to dump the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has elicited his reaction.
Report had emerged that Damagum was in the process of following the footsteps of hitherto opposition leaders that defected to the ruling APC.
The rumour has attracted his response by a statement his Personal Assistant, Nuru Jos released.
The refutal attributed the speculation to those at variance with Damagum.
“The attention of the Office of the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), His Excellency, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, has been drawn to a fake and malicious news item circulated by an obscure platform, alleging that the Acting National Chairman is considering defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This baseless report, authored by faceless individuals, was clearly fashioned to smear and defame the person and leadership of Ambassador Damagum.
“To set the record straight, let the world know that all Ward, Local Government, and Zonal congresses conducted in Yobe State, including those in the North-East zone, were peaceful, successful, and widely conducted without rancour.
“Unfortunately, a few disgruntled individuals, unable to deliver or prove their relevance within the party, have resorted to cheap blackmail in a desperate attempt to sabotage the efforts of the hardworking Acting National Chairman.
“The smear campaign is being orchestrated by internal saboteurs who, failing to impose impunity and personal agenda, falsely accuse Ambassador Damagum of standing in their way; their displeasure stems from his principled stand against the arbitrary removal of elected officers and his refusal to yield to sectional interests.
“Let it be clearly stated: the PDP in Yobe State, under the able influence of Ambassador Damagum, remains strong, united, and healthy. He will continue to work diligently to stabilize and reposition the party from the grassroots in his home state and across the nation.
“Mischief-makers must desist from their divisive antics and instead support the reforms being led by Ambassador Damagum to reposition the PDP for a stronger outing in the 2027 general elections,” the statement reads in part.
