The crisis rocking opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), heightened as the National Working Committee has splited into two factions
The NWC which went into disagreement at its meeting on Thursday avoided fisticuffs as the Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagun stormed out of the meeting following bitter exchange of words from members
One of the NWC factions in a statement issued early Friday announced the suspension of Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu.
This decision, confirmed by National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, follows complaints regarding their actions related to a court appeal involving former Rivers State Assembly members who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The NWC condemned their conduct as anti-party, violating the PDP Constitution, and referred them to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.
Ologunagba said in a press statement early Friday morning, October 11, 2024: The National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP has extensively considered the series of complaints raised against the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, particularly with regard to the letter addressed by them to the Court of Appeal in Appeal against the Party’s position in the case involving the 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who vacated their seats upon decamping from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“The NWC condemned this anti-party activity of the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary, which is in gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.
“Consequently, the NWC, pursuant to Sections 57, 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution, has suspended Ambassador Illiya Damagum and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party, respectively, and referred them to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.
“In the meantime, the two officials are suspended from all meetings, activities and programmes of the NWC pending the conclusion of investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee.”
Breaking News: PDP suspends National Publicity scribe, Legal adviser
But in a counter statement, the Damagun led NWC faction announced the suspension of the National Publicly Secretary and National Legal Adviser of the party
The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party announced the suspension of its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).
Since 2023, the PDP has faced internal crises, with Ologunagba and Ajibade recently emerging as key voices urging acting National Chairman Umar Damagum to adhere to the party’s constitution in its daily operations.
The PDP National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom who announced this on Friday stated that the party has established a committee, led by Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the concerns raised against the officers in accordance with the party’s Constitution.
The statement read in part “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) arising from its 593rd Meeting today, Thurday, October 10, 2024, has directed the National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Hon Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser (NLA), Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, to step aside, respectively.
“As a result, the NWC constituted a committee to be chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South) H.E. Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the issues raised against the officers in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Party.
“Following the NWC’s Decision, it directed their respective deputies (DNPS and DNLA) to assume office in acting capacity with effect from Friday, October 11, 2014, pending the conclusion of investigation by the Committee. The officers are:
“Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, Esq, Acting National Publicity Secretary and Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, Acting National Legal Adviser
“The NWC enjoins all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of our great Party to remain focused and committed as it pilots the day-to-day affairs of the PDP for its greater good.”