By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The crisis in the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new dimension as the parties National Working Committee(NWC) seems to be visibly divided with each faction suspending leaders in the other factions.
After a very hot and controversial NWC meeting on Thursday, the faction led the embattled National Chairman Amb. Umar Damagum suspended the party’s National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Hon Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser (NLA), Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN over anti-party activities.
The other faction also suspended the National Chairman Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu for working against the interest of the party especially in Rivers State.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Director of Publicty, Chinwe Nnorom, a faction of the NWC ppointed their deputies Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, Esq, as Acting National Publicity Secretary and Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, as Acting National Legal Adviser.
The statement reads, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) arising from its 593rd Meeting today, Thusrday, 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”.
Shortly after, another faction in a statement signed by the embattled National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba suspended the Acting National Chairman and Secretary.
The statement reads, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDPhas extensively considered the series of complaints raised against the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu particularly with regard to the letter addressed by them to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No:CA/PH/307/2024 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 Amb. Illiya Damagum and Sen. 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 programs of the NWC pending the conclusion of investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee.
A source close to the NWC confinded on our reporter that the National Chairman has been dancing to the tune of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike a situation that has held the party down since he took over. He said that Damagum frustrated all moves by stakeholders to sanction a Wike for hobnobbing with the ruling party and also holding down governance in Rivers state.
The source said the National Publicity Secretary and Legal Adviser have always opposed that move and had recommeded that all those working against the party must be sanctioned.
He said, “The new leadership of the party under Damagum is not moving the party forward. He has not hidden his relationship with Wike and will always oppose anymove to sanction the FCT minister because Wike is paying his bills.
“Look at the situation in Rivers State, some stakeholders had advised him to call Wike to order and rally support for the governor. Even some cases that were infavour of the party, he appealled it as long as it is in the interest of Wike.
“The fact is as long as Damagum remains the acting Chairman of this party, the crisis will deepen and the dream of producing a President in 2027 will end up as a wish” he lamented.
Recall that the Board of Trustee (BoT) had at a meeting at the party’s National Secretariat same day sued for peace and reconciliation and strict adherence to the party’s constitution as a way to reposition the party.
