By Eunice Orike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a verbal attack on the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, describing him as a “tax collector” lacking the integrity and discipline to lead the opposition party.
Speaking on Politics Today, on Channels Television programme in Abuja Wike alleged that Damagum has no control over his legal affairs during the PDP’s leadership crisis, claiming that he personally intervened to stabilize the party at the time.
“Damagum did not even know who his lawyer was when we went to court. That was how we were able to stabilize and keep him in office,” Wike said.
Accusing the PDP chairman of being driven solely by financial interests, the FCT Minister said Damagum prioritises money over loyalty or principle.
“But you see, as a tax collector, he will always be. Damagum is a tax collector. He doesn’t need to work with FIRS; he is a company tax collector. Some people are naturally like that. They think money is everything and can never be steadfast,” Wike said.
“Let Damagum challenge me. Let him go to court and sue me for what I said. He knows he cannot”, Wike said.
Wike’s remarks come amid renewed internal divisions within the PDP, with factions loyal to Damagum and the party’s former National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, jostling for control.
Turning his attention to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Wike said Atiku’s exit from the PDP was “inevitable,” given his history of defections.
He accused Atiku and his allies of repeatedly destabilizing the party, noting that their recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) confirmed their inconsistency.
“Atiku has no choice but to go. Someone who wants to use the PDP, knowing that I am there, cannot get that platform. These are people who destroyed the party. Remember how many times he left and came back,” he said.
Wike also mocked those who had previously accused him of secretly working for the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing them as hypocritical for later defecting to the same party.
“The man you said was working for the APC to kill the PDP is still in PDP, and you people have now joined the same APC,” he said
