The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed allegations by its National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, that the party’s National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Illya Damagum, violated provisions of the PDP constitution, insisting that all actions taken by the chairman were in full compliance with the party’s rules.
Addressing journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described Anyanwu’s claims as “misinformed and misleading,” affirming that the chairman has acted within his constitutional authority and that the party’s national convention scheduled for November 16 and 17 remains sacrosanct.
“By the 2017 amended constitution of our party, the National Chairman is the Chief Executive Officer of the PDP. He has the power to summon and preside over meetings of the National Working Committee (NWC) and may delegate responsibilities as necessary for the smooth running of the party,” Ologunagba said.
He further clarified that Section 29 of the party’s constitution empowers the chairman to convene meetings or delegate such authority, while Section 35 designates him as the party’s chief executive. He dismissed claims that Damagum usurped the functions of the national secretary under Section 36(b) and (e), saying the secretary operates under directives from the chairman and cannot act unilaterally.
“The national secretary is the Chief Administrative Officer, but his duties flow from the office of the National Chairman. He cannot summon or conduct meetings without authorisation,” Ologunagba stressed.
He reiterated that preparations for the November national convention were fully underway, describing it as a key moment for the PDP to “rebuild, reinvent, and reaffirm its role as Nigeria’s leading opposition party.”
“We are aware of distractions from certain quarters, but the PDP convention train has already left Abuja and will soon berth in Ibadan. There is no going back,” he declared.
Party Responds to Tinubu’s Independence Speech
Ologunagba also took aim at President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address, describing it as “uninspiring, superficial, and disconnected from the realities of Nigerians.”
“The president’s speech was filled with propaganda and false statistics. It failed to address the worsening cost of living, unemployment, and insecurity. The APC government has dragged Nigeria into economic bondage and hardship,” he said.
Crisis in Akwa Ibom and Cross River PDP Chapters
Meanwhile, controversy continues to trail the dissolution of the PDP executive committees in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, which were replaced with caretaker committees for an initial three-month period.
Former Akwa Ibom PDP chairman, Aniekan Akpan, rejected the dissolution, insisting it was unconstitutional and not approved by a formal meeting of the National Working Committee.
“The NWC never convened to take such a decision. The PDP in Akwa Ibom remains intact, from the state to the ward level. We will resist any form of impunity,” Akpan told reporters in Uyo.
He cited a letter allegedly written by the national secretary, Senator Anyanwu, confirming that no meeting of the NWC was held to approve the dissolution.
“The letter from the national secretary affirmed that no such decision was taken. Therefore, the dissolution announced by the NWC is null and void,” Akpan stated.
Despite the internal rift, the PDP leadership maintains that it remains focused on ensuring the success of its forthcoming national convention, which it says will “reunite and reposition the party for national leadership.”
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