Fresh Crisis hits PDP as Damagum, Anyanwu, NPS, Legal adviser suspended

… NWC polarized as faction asks deputies to take over from Ologunagba, Ajibade

By Tunde Opalana

Fresh crisis has erupted in the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as two factions publicly surfaced Thursday night from it’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Consumed by the faction attrition are the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser, Barrister Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN who were all suspended .

Late night press statements emanating from the two warring camps claimed that the four national officers were suspended by the factions.

The faction that suspended the party spokesperson and the legal adviser directed their deputies to assume office in acting capacity with effect from Friday, October 11, 2014, pending the conclusion of investigation of Ologunagba and Ajibade.

According to the statement issued by the party’s National Director of Publicity, Mrs Chinwe Nnorom Thursday night on behalf of the NWC, the decision to suspend the two officers was taken by the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP arising from its 593rd meeting on Thursday, October 10, 2024.

The statement added that the NWC has constituted a committee to be chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the issues raised against the officers in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Party.

The NWC enjoined all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of the Party to remain focused and committed as it pilots the day-to-day affairs of the PDP for its greater good.

The statement by Nnorom reads, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) arising from its 593rd Meeting today, (Thursday, 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”, the statement said.

However, the other faction suspended both Damagum and Anyanwu for working against the interest of the party.

Hon. Debo Ologunagba in a statement to that effect also Thursday night announced the decision of the other faction if the NWC to suspend both the acting National Chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu on the reported anti-party activity.

The statement read ” National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has 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.”

Efforts to speak with any of the suspended officers were abortive as they could not be reached on phone.