Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Damagum, has cautioned state chairmen of the party against acts of disloyalty, warning that betrayal of the party that made them would not go unpunished.

Speaking on Thursday at a meeting with the Forum of State PDP Chairmen in Abuja, Damagum said treachery within the ranks of the party would only bring misfortune to those involved.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on our colleagues that the devil is using to see wisdom in casting the devil in them,” he said. “Treachery, especially to an institution that has made you what you are today, will not heal. You may be lucky now, but there is the law of karma. What goes around comes around.”

The PDP chairman, who has been battling to retain control of the party amid internal crisis, added that divine judgment awaits those who work against the interest of the PDP.

“We exist because God exists. We owe everything that we do to Him. He is watching us and will judge us by our behaviour,” he added. “A word is enough for the wise.”

Damagum dismissed insinuations that the PDP has become irrelevant in Nigeria’s political space.

“People are saying the PDP is dead. Today in Nigeria, the story is about the PDP. You don’t tell a story of something that does not exist. This is proof that the PDP is alive and ready,” he said.

He also warned the federal government against harassment of opposition figures, stressing that the PDP would continue to pursue its democratic ideals within the ambit of the law.

“This country belongs to all of us. We will not be intimidated by anyone who feels that, because God has given him the opportunity, he can behave the way he likes. It is a temporary one. One day, everyone who does what is not right will be at the front,” Damagum warned.

Meanwhile, the state chairmen reaffirmed their loyalty to the PDP leadership and pledged full support for the forthcoming national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16.

Party Leadership Crisis Deepens

The PDP has been enmeshed in a fresh leadership tussle, with two factions laying claim to the chairmanship position.

Last weekend, Damagum’s National Working Committee (NWC) suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organising Secretary Umaru Bature over alleged anti-party activities.

In retaliation, the Anyanwu faction—reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike—announced the suspension of Damagum and some NWC members. The group also appointed Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, citing the need to “restore legitimacy” within the party.

The leadership battle has spilled into the courts, with conflicting judgments emerging from Abuja and Ibadan over the legality of the planned convention. While an Abuja High Court ordered its suspension, another court in Ibadan gave a green light for it to proceed.

As the November 15 convention approaches, all eyes are on the PDP to see whether it can resolve its internal strife and reposition itself as a viable opposition force.