The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Friday as the acting National Publicity Secretary of the Umar Damagum faction, Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed the suspension of Debo Ologunagba, the party’s suspended National Publicity Secretary.
Abdullahi stated that Ologunagba’s suspension was directly linked to the ongoing crisis in Rivers State.
“Ologunagba was suspended for alleged anti-party activities because he issued a press statement concerning the Rivers Local Government elections,” Abdullahi revealed during a press conference in Abuja.
Ologunagba’s statement, released on the eve of the Rivers council poll, encouraged residents to participate in the elections, asserting that no court had the authority to prevent the electoral process from proceeding.
This position was reportedly at odds with the party’s official stance amid the electoral turmoil in the state.
Earlier on Friday, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) had announced the suspensions of both Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).
The announcement was made public by the PDP National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, who emphasized the party’s commitment to maintaining discipline among its members.
Nnorom further disclosed that the party has constituted a committee, led by Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the allegations against the suspended officers in accordance with the party’s Constitution.
Abdullahi explained that the NWC held a vote on the matter, with eight members supporting the suspension and four opposing it.
He further clarified that the NWC has the authority to discipline its members, dismissing claims that the suspension was politically motivated or influenced by external forces.