Umar Damatgun, the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has countered Debo Ologunagba the National Publicity Secretary of the party over his remark that the Independent National Commission, INEC, has no powers to cancel its 100th National Executive Committee, NEC, slated for June 30, 2025.
Damagun made the remark in a release made available to journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital saying the PDP spokesman is on his own, and his position does not represent that of the party, as well as the National Working Committee, NWC, which can decide on such matter.
He said the party is still consulting with the Commission over the issue, adding that the party will not do anything that contradicts basic democratic norms.
Ologunagba had on Tuesday, addressed a press conference in Abuja where he accused INEC of trying to derail the nation’s democratic process after the commission cautioned the party not to go ahead with the NEC after the National Secreatry of the party, Samuel Anyanwu refused to sign the Notice of meeting sent to INEC by the party.
The magazine reported that Anyanwu had refused to sign the letter due to the ongoing tussle between him and Sunday Ude-Okoye for the party’s National Secretary position. The Supreme Court had affirmed Anyanwu for the position.
According to Damagun, Ologunagba response to the issue was very hasty as the leadership of the party is still consulting with other PDP stakeholders and a meeting has been arranged with INEC on Tuesday, to see how the issue concerning its upcoming NEC could be resolved.
Damagum: “My attention, as the Ag. National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been drawn to a recent press interactions and comments made by our National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, concerning the Party’s scheduled 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the purported position of the Party regarding communications from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Let me clearly and unequivocally state that the comment by Hon. Debo Ologunagba was made without the authority or approval of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party.
“Therefore, the comments were made prematurely and without due consultation, especially in light of the fact that a meeting has already been scheduled for Tuesday, 24th June 2025 between the party leaders, stakeholder, the Ag. National Chairman of PDP and the Chairman of INEC to address the concerns raised in the letter sent to our Party.
“It is shocking and unfortunate that such a sensitive matter was addressed publicly without recourse to establish internal processes or the leadership of the Party.
“In my capacity as the Ag. National Chairman, I wish to make it categorically clear that the views expressed by Hon. Ologunagba in that press interactions are entirely his personal opinions and do not represent the official position of the PDP.
“Regrettably, this is not the first time that Hon. Ologunagba has acted unilaterally, disregarding the collective decision-making structures of the Party.”
Damagum stated that “the Party remains committed to defending its internal autonomy and resisting undue interference from external forces, it must do so in a responsible and unified manner. Our strength lies in our unity, discipline, and adherence to due process.
“The PDP remains committed to conducting its 100th NEC meeting in accordance with constitutional provisions and democratic norms,” he said.
The Source reports that the party has been enmeshed in a leadership crisis for months, which a committee led by a former President Bukola Saraki set up by the party, is trying to resolve.
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