Crisis is deepening within the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, has publicly disowned the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, over comments made concerning a letter from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the party’s crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The controversy centers on a recent letter from INEC which queried the propriety of the party’s notification of its forthcoming 100th NEC meeting, slated for June 30, 2025.
The commission noted that the notification was only signed by Damagum, without the mandatory co-signature of the party’s spokesperson, in line with established protocols.
Addressing journalists on Sunday, Ologunagba dismissed INEC’s concerns, insisting that the party had no constitutional obligation to seek the commission’s approval before convening its NEC meeting. He asserted that the notice to INEC was merely a courtesy and not a legal requirement.
However, Damagum, in a strongly worded statement on Monday, distanced the party from Ologunagba’s remarks, describing them as personal opinions that did not reflect the official position of the PDP or its National Working Committee (NWC).
“The comment by Hon. Debo Ologunagba was made without the authority or approval of the NWC,” Damagum stated.
“It was premature and issued without due consultation, particularly as a high-level meeting between PDP leaders and the INEC chairman has already been scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, 2025, to address the issues raised.”
Damagum expressed dismay that such a “sensitive matter” was handled without internal deliberations and noted that it was not the first time Ologunagba had acted unilaterally.
“It is shocking and unfortunate that such a sensitive matter was addressed publicly without recourse to established internal processes,” he said, adding that the party remains committed to its internal autonomy and democratic principles but will uphold such through “collective consensus and proper coordination, not personal posturing.”
The statement signals growing tension within the PDP leadership ranks, as stakeholders prepare for what is expected to be a defining NEC meeting amid internal wrangling and looming political challenges.
Despite the internal rift, Damagum reassured members and the public that the NEC meeting will hold as planned, with all processes aligned to the party’s constitution and democratic ethos.
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