A factional crisis has hit the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leading to the suspension of several top officials.
The National Working Committee (NWC) led by Acting National Chairman Illiya Damagum first suspended the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, over allegations of disloyalty and insubordination.
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The NWC, during its 593rd meeting on Thursday, October 10, 2024, decided that both Ologunagba and Ajibade should step aside to allow investigations into the allegations.
A committee chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, was formed to investigate the matter.
The NWC directed the deputies of the affected officials, Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga and Okechukwu Osuoha, to assume the roles of Acting National Publicity Secretary and Acting National Legal Adviser, respectively, beginning October 11, 2024.
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However, in a surprising twist, Ologunagba responded by announcing the suspension of the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Illiya Damagum, and the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
Ologunagba’s statement pointed to their involvement in sending a letter to the Court of Appeal concerning a case against the PDP’s position regarding 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who had defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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This move was deemed an act of gross misconduct and a violation of the party’s constitution.
In response to these accusations, Ologunagba announced that Damagum and Anyanwu would be suspended from all party activities and meetings pending an investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee.
Both officials will remain suspended until further action is taken based on the committee’s findings.
