Umar Iliya Damagum, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has attributed some of the party’s ongoing crises to the actions of former senator Dino Melaye. Damagum expressed concerns over Melaye’s loyalty to the party, particularly pointing to his conduct during the recent Kogi gubernatorial election.

In an interview with Daily Trust, Damagum responded to remarks by Melaye, who had described the PDP as a “once upon a time party.” The chairman questioned Melaye’s role in allegedly tarnishing the party’s reputation, emphasizing that anyone granted the party’s platform is responsible for enhancing its standing.

“Let me remind you about that statement attributed to Dino. He’s part of the problem. Why? Because he ran for governor in Kogi State and didn’t even vote for himself. Take note of that: he didn’t go out to vote in his own election,” Damagum stated.

He further added, “Even as the candidate, he failed to participate in his own election. So, I’ll leave it to you to decide who’s really damaging the party. If the party gives you its platform, you owe it a duty to improve its image. Whether you win or lose, at least lose credibly if you must.”