Factional wars are on the verge of sinking the ship of the main opposition party People Democratic Party (PDP) less than 24 hours after the Senator Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees of the People Democratic Party (PDP) met in Abuja.
On Thursday night, a faction of the party announced the suspension of its acting national Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum and the party scribe, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
In another breath, another faction of the party also announced the suspension of the National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Hon Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser (NLA), Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN from the party over what it described as disloyalty and insurbodinations.
The suspension came via another press statement, a copy which was made available to Blueprint in Abuja.
The latest decisions are coming less than eight hours after the Court of Appeal in Abuja delivered a judgment in favour of the pro- Nyesom Wike assembly men.
Aside the protracted crisis plaguing the party echelons at the national level, the battle of supremacy between former Governor and the FCT Minister Rivers, Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminlayi Fubara is allegedly tearing the apart.
Henceforth, the two officials have been suspended from all meetings, activities and programs of the NWC pending the conclusion of investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee.
The decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) was contained in a press release made available to Blueprint late last night in Abuja.
The party which took the decision in a signed statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba cited reported anti-party activity allegations against the duo.
Although the statement did not indicate who replaces the embattled Damagum and Anyanwu, but they have been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.
It reads in part: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has extensively considered the series of complaints raised against the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu particularly 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).
“The NWC condemned this anti-party activity of the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary which is in gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.
“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 investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee.
However, in the other statement made available to newsmen last night by the Acting. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, and National Director of Publicty, Adm. Chinwe I. Nnorom (Pst.), the party have also announced the suspension of the National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Hon Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser (NLA), Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN.
The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) while taken the decision cited disloyalty and insurbodinations on the part of the duo.
They have susequently directed the NPS and NLA to step aside while it constitutes Investigation Committee over the allegations.
In the meantime, the party indicated that it has 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.
In their stead, Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, Esq, Acting National Publicity Secretary and Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, Acting National Legal Adviser have been mandated to take their positions in acting capacity.
The statement reads: “Arising from its 593rd meeting,10th October,2024,the National Working Committee has suspended the National Publicity Secretary and the National Legal Adviser of the Party pending the determination of allegations of disloyalty and insurbodinations levelled against them.
“In the meantime,the Deputies in the respective Directorates, Ibrahim Abdullahi and Barr Okechukwu Osuoha, have stepped-in in acting capacity
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) arising from its 593rd Meeting today, Thurday, October 10, 2024, has directed the National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Hon Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser (NLA), Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN to step aside, respectively.
“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:
“The NWC enjoins all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of our great Party to remain focused and committed as it pilots the day-to-day affairs of the PDP for its greater good.”