The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, which relates to issues in Rivers State has factionalised the party’s National Working Committee.
Since taking over after Senator Iyorchia Ayu was removed by a court, the party’s factional acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, had faced mounting criticism within the party, leading to calls for his resignation.
The crisis escalated when Damagum and other NWC members, in support of Wike, secured approval for controversial PDP Congresses in Rivers State and postponed the National Executive Committee meeting from September 26 to October 24.
The lingering conflict between Wike and the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, also intensified on August 24 as the PDP governors publicly declared their supports for their Rivers counterpart and urged a review of the state congresses.
In response, Wike August 31 threatened to disrupt activities in the governors’ states if they continued to interfere in Rivers State matters, but the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by the Bauchi State governor labelled Wike’s threats as irresponsible
Meanwhile, Fubara oversaw local government elections on October 5, resulting in a setback for Wike’s camp, as 22 of the 23 newly elected chairmen were from the Action Peoples Party.
But in a surprised move, the NWC in a statement by the party’s National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom on Friday announced the suspension of its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade
Ologunagba and Ajibade had been heading the NWC group that consistently opposes Damagum’s efforts to hand over control of the PDP to Wike, especially regarding issues in Rivers State.
The statement read in part, “The National Working Committee of the Peoples’ Democratic Party arising from its 593rd Meeting today, Thurday, October 10, 2024, has directed the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser, 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”.
Moments later, a statement signed by Ologunagba on Friday revealed that the NWC had suspended Damagum and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, for alleged disloyalty to the PDP.
The Ologunagba faction of the NWC also appointed National Treasurer Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as acting National Chairman.
