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A Peoples Democratic Party chairmanship aspirant, Conrad Utaan, has warned that the All Progressives Congress could secure victory in the 2027 election if the ongoing issues within the PDP continue.
Utaan stated this during an interaction with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, highlighting that the internal crisis has rendered all key figures in the PDP ineffective.
The PDP has been grappling with internal disputes since the buildup to the 2023 presidential election, which contributed to the party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, losing to the incumbent President Bola Tinubu of the APC.
Some members attribute the deepening crisis to acting National Chairman Umar Damagum’s failure to revitalise the party after he took over following the court’s removal of Senator Iyorchia Ayu.
This ongoing strife has damaged the party’s reputation and appeal among many Nigerians, who previously regarded it as a viable alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
He stated, “Look, there’s so much confusion in our party, the PDP. The APC, as much as we hate to admit it, may just stroll into another term by 2027 if the PDP continues this way with this crisis.
“The big names in the PDP have become dormant because of the issues we have found ourselves in within the party. That is the reason why we are advocating for North Central to complete its term as PDP National Chairman to resolve all issues.
“By the way, this term ends in November 2025. I am not running to be chairman for four years. I am running to complete the term of the North Central, the term of Benue, the term of Benue North West Central District, even if it’s for two days. It belongs to the North Central. It belongs to Benue. It belongs to Zone B of Benue. It’s ours, even if it’s for two days.”
Utaan, who described it as a shame that the PDP has been mired in an internal crisis for so long, emphasised the urgent need for the North Central to propose a replacement for Damagum to be approved at the National Executive Committee meeting on October 24.
“What came to us in the North Central was the national chairman of the PDP, and then all of a sudden, we discovered that Damagum was becoming more or less a substantive chairman. And then nobody was saying anything, you know, so again, I took it upon myself to give it a challenge.
“And our case should not be an exception. The Chairman of the PDP is for the North Central Zone. If the party, or the National Executive Committee of the party, decides that Damagum should be a substantive chairman, they should come out and inform the North Central. If not, the North Central must bring a replacement; the North East cannot have both the Deputy National Chairman and the National Chairman at the same time when we in North Central are left with nothing,” he said.
The PDP national chairman aspirant stated that, unlike other candidates, he does not bear the burdens associated with former public officeholders.
He stressed that the PDP urgently needs peace and genuine reconciliation, stating that he is not too proud to ask all stakeholders for help in achieving this.
Utaan added, “I am not encumbered by ego to say I am too big to beg. Our party right now requires peace and reconciliation, and someone who can build unity strong enough for us to win back power in Nigeria, and the person who may be best suited is a man whom everybody considers his boss.
“I am not too big to kneel in front of Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, or kneel in front of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, or kneel in front of former President Goodluck Jonathan, or kneel in front of former Vice President Namadi Sambo, or anyone else to achieve peace and move the PDP forward.
“It’s not about being a former this or a former that; perhaps that’s why we are where we are today. The PDP has long been embroiled in one leadership succession issue after another. I think it’s time for a fresh start.”
He revealed that he possesses everything necessary to take on the leadership of the PDP and tackle all the challenges facing the party.
Utaan continued, “I have what it takes, not only academically or intellectually, but I also have a real feel for the pulse of the people on the street. Ordinary members of the PDP can connect with me better than any former national secretary, governor, senator, minister, or anyone else.
“I have met with the leaders of this party at all levels. I have met with my party at the local level, at the state level, and last week, I addressed the North Central Executive Committee of the party. My message resonated with them. Perhaps I have brought a new fire that will awaken the North Central and, by extension, revive the PDP. I desire to lead this party with humility and sacrifice.”
