The political crisis in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is taking a different dimension with nine of the party’s 13 elected governors, reportedly endorsing the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.
A faction of the party in a statement issued by Debo Ologunagba reportedly suspended the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
This was believed to be a counter-reaction by the group following Ologunagba’s suspension together with the National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade but the party National Working Committee (NWC) at its 593 meeting on Thursday, October October 10.
“The National Working Committee at its 593rd meeting of Thursday, October 10, 2024, discussed the allegation of abuse of office, insubordination and refusal to adhere to the directives of the NWC, against the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN and the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba and approved that the two National Officers should be suspended from all NWC activities while the committee constituted to look into the allegation carry-on with a thorough investigation,” the party said in the statement.
Director of Publicity Chinwe Nnorum.
But Ologunagba in a counter statement, announced the suspension of Damagum and the National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, for anti-party activity.
He said the duo were suspended 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).
“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 an investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee,” he added.
But an online news report said nine of the PDP governors “collectively endorsed the suspension of Iliya Damagum from his role as Acting National Chairman.”
The governors, according to the report, were Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State); Douye Diri (Bayelsa State); Godwin Obaseki (Edo State); Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori (Delta State); Agbu Kefas (Taraba State); Dauda Lawal (Zamfara State); Peter Mbah (Enugu State); Ademola Adeleke (Osun State) and Pastor Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State).
“This, those in the know of happenings said, was a major development aimed at reinforcing internal cohesion within the PDP,” the report added.
According to the report, the decision came following a virtual meeting held on Saturday, “where the governors unanimously approved the appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Alaghi, the current PDP National Treasurer, as the new Acting National Chairman.
It quoted an aide of one of the governors reaffirming the commitment of the governors to uphold the PDP’s constitution and resolve internal conflicts through formal party channels.
“The governors reaffirm their commitment to building a stronger, more united PDP, prioritising the party’s interests above individual agendas,” the statement read.
But acting National Publicity of the PDP Ibrahim Abdullahi, described the endorsement as “Lies from the pit of hell.
(This is) “Far from the truth. There were no two governors that spoke online yesterday, talkless of nine. These are the final kicks of a dying horse,” he defended.
The PDP governors’ meeting is scheduled to hold on Monday, October 24.
The party had earlier scheduled to hold a National Executive Committee (NEC) on October 24, to elect a new national chairman to complete the term of former chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.
Damagum was expected to return to his previous position as National Vice Chairman (North) after the election.
But a Federal High Court barred PDP NWC and NEC, and not the Governors’ Forum, from removing the acting National Chairman. Fortunately, PDP Governors’ Forum was not included in the court judgement.
Sources indicate that PDP governors were exploring various options to resolve the crisis.
One of the proposals is to dissolve the entire NWC and appoint a caretaker committee to oversee the party’s affairs until December 2025, when the current NWC’s tenure expires. Another option is to proceed with the NEC meeting as scheduled to elect Ayu’s successor.
Alhaji Mohammed who is a of member the committee set up to investigate Ologunagba and Ajibade, said he accepted his appointment as acting National Chairman.
“The domestic events within our Party in the last few days call for deep reflection about the management of the PDP especially at this crucial time in our nation, particularly as it relates to our role as an opposition party and general management as a Constitution Compliant Party in the true spirit of the mission and vision of the founding fathers which are equity, fairness and justice.
“I am humbled and grateful by the numerous messages of solidarity, support and best wishes received from members of our party across the country.
“The enthusiasm and relief expressed revealed the desire and determination of our members to see a PDP that is strong, democratic and based on strict adherence to its Constitution,” he said.
The acting National Chairman regretted that the party has not satisfactorily carried out its critical role expected of a virile opposition in a democracy.
“This, it has been observed is a result of conflict of interests; – personal or political – elevated above party interest which continues to have a debilitating effect on the ability of our party to perform effectively at various levels, particularly at the national level.
“This state of affairs continues to affect the performance and viability of our party to perform its role as expected as a platform which Nigerians have come to admire and look up to in view of the robust Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and the monumental achievements of the party in the 16 years in government, which period is referred to with nostalgia as the golden years of governance in Nigeria.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, desirous of revamping the party in line with the vision of its founding fathers, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, appointed me as the Acting National Chairman to lead the charge to rekindle the hope and aspiration of our teeming members especially the youths, critical stakeholders and generality of Nigerians who wish to see a political party that is ready and willing to play the role of effective opposition in the quest to develop our democracy and seek for responsible and responsive government in our country.
“The NWC under my leadership will be guided strictly by the Constitution of our party and I will at all times be fair to all members irrespective of their status, position or state in the party.
“In this regard, my primary goal, focus and mandate in the onerous assignment is to restore the confidence of our members by immediately setting in motion the process to hold the long overdue National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of our Party already scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024.
“In line with the provision of our party’s Constitution, the North Central Zone which is constitutionality entitled to produce a replacement to serve out the tenure of the former National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu is hereby requested to urgently meet and forward its nominee to my office for necessary preparation and forwarding for consideration and approval by NEC at the October 24, 2024 meeting. (New Telegraph)
