‘Damagum Is A Tax Collector, Not A Steadfast Leader’, Wike Accuses PDP Chair Of Bribe-taking

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at the embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Umar Damagum, describing him as a “tax collector” who lacked the discipline and integrity to lead the opposition party.

Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Monday evening, Wike alleged that Damagum was never in control of his legal affairs when the party faced internal court battles, claiming that he personally intervened to stabilise the PDP leadership during that period.

“Damagum does not even know who his lawyer was when we went to court. That was how we were able to stabilise and keep Damagun,” Wike said.

The former Rivers State governor, however, accused Damagum of being driven solely by financial interests, describing him as someone who 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,” Wike said mockingly.

“There are people who are like that naturally in their life, that is how they are. They think money is everything in life. They think they can never be steadfast,” he added.

Challenging Damagum to take legal action if he felt defamed by the claim, Wike declared: “Let Damagum challenge me. Let him go to court and sue me and say, ‘Look, this was what the minister said about me.’ He knows he cannot.”

Wike’s remarks came amid deepening internal strife within the PDP, with rival factions of the party led by Damagum and Samuel Anyanwu, respectively.