The political situation in Nigeria is marked by deep confusion in the main opposition party, the People Democratic Party (PDP), following the suspension orders issued by factions of the National Working Committee, NWC.
A faction of the NWC led by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, yesterday announced the suspension of the party’s National Communication Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and the National Counsel, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, for alleged insubordination.
A statement signed by the Deputy National Communication Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, read: “Following its 593rd meeting on 10th October 2024, the National Working Committee has suspended the National Communication Secretary and the National Counsel of the Party, pending determination of the allegations of DISLOYABILITY and INSUBORDINATION levelled against the two.”
“In the meantime, the deputies in the various directorates, Ibrahim Abdullahi and Barr Okechukwu Osuoha, have temporarily taken over.”
However, the National Secretary for Communication, Debo Ologunagba and the National Counsel countered with their own statement, suspending the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Their statement read: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has thoroughly considered the series of complaints made against the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Illiya Damagum, and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, particularly with regard to the letter they addressed to the Court of Appeal in the appeal case No: CA/PH/307/2024 against the Party’s stand in the case involving the 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who vacated their seats from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The NWC condemned this activity against the party by the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary, which is in serious contravention of the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their oath of office.”
“Consequently, the NWC, in terms of Sections 57, 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution, suspended Ambassador Illiya Damagum and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the 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 the investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee.”
The party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) had earlier directed all members of the party to report to the party’s disciplinary committee if summoned.
BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, had at the 78th meeting of the council urged the NWC to expedite matters and ensure that the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, meets as scheduled on October 24.
This tumultuous situation within the PDP underscores the internal tensions and power struggles plaguing the party, highlighting the need for a speedy resolution to ensure the stability and smooth functioning of Nigeria’s main opposition party.