The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) continues to reel from internal strife as its National Working Committee (NWC) has suspended prominent officials, further deepening the party’s crisis.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, have been suspended over allegations of misconduct, including disloyalty and insubordination.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 10, by the PDP’s National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, the NWC announced that both Ologunagba and Ajibade would face a disciplinary committee headed by Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja. Their respective deputies have been ordered to assume acting roles immediately.
However, the tensions escalated when a faction within the party loyal to the suspended officials retaliated by suspending the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu. This faction accused Damagum and Anyanwu of anti-party activities, specifically for actions that allegedly undermined the PDP’s stance in a legal case involving 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The faction led by Ologunagba condemned Damagum and Anyanwu for writing to the Court of Appeal, claiming it was against the party’s position. In response, the faction moved to suspend them, with Ologunagba citing sections of the PDP Constitution to justify the disciplinary measures.
The PDP’s internal rift, which centers on the leadership and direction of the party, has left the NWC fractured, with no immediate resolution in sight. As the two factions vie for control, the party’s ability to function effectively is under threat, particularly as the country heads into a pivotal election period.
This ongoing battle for supremacy within the PDP may prove challenging for the party, with both sides accusing each other of betrayal and anti-party activities. With the disciplinary committee set to investigate, the party faces an uncertain future as it grapples with leadership divisions.