PDP Crisis Gets Messier as Damagum Disowns Spokesman Over INEC Dispute

PDP Crisis Gets Messier as Damagum Disowns Spokesman Over INEC Dispute

 

 

 

The internal crisis within Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has intensified as Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum disowned public comments made by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) role in the party’s affairs.

 

In a press statement released Monday, Damagum distanced the National Working Committee (NWC) from Ologunagba’s assertion that INEC lacked the authority to interfere with the PDP’s upcoming 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. Damagum described the spokesman’s remarks as “unauthorised” and not reflective of the party’s official position.

 

“My attention, as the Ag. National Chairman of the PDP, has been drawn to a recent press interaction and comments made by our National Publicity Secretary… concerning the Party’s scheduled 100th NEC meeting,” Damagum said.

 

“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 of our great Party.”

 

Ologunagba had on Sunday pushed back against INEC’s refusal to accept the party’s notice for the NEC meeting. He claimed the electoral body had no legal standing to cancel or block internal party meetings, referencing Supreme Court judgments and constitutional guidelines.

 

“INEC has no role in the regular meetings of the NWC or NEC,” Ologunagba had stated during the briefing. “It is the party’s prerogative to decide such matters… We are planning to hold our meeting as scheduled.”

 

But Damagum faulted both the tone and timing of the statement, especially given that a high-level meeting between PDP leaders and INEC officials is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24. He warned that Ologunagba’s remarks risk undermining reconciliation efforts and further aggravating internal discord.

 

“It is shocking and unfortunate that such a sensitive matter was addressed publicly without recourse to established internal processes or the leadership of the Party,” Damagum said.

 

This incident is the latest in a string of controversies plaguing the PDP. Internal leadership battles have created significant fractures, particularly surrounding the position of National Secretary—a role contested between Sunday Udeh-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the latter reportedly backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

 

In a bid to restore order, the party named Setonji Koshoedo as Acting National Secretary. However, a fact-finding committee led by Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu revealed that INEC still recognizes Anyanwu as the official secretary. As a result, INEC rejected the PDP’s notice for the NEC meeting, citing the requirement that both the National Chairman and National Secretary must jointly sign off on such communications.

 

Despite the growing turmoil, Damagum reaffirmed the party’s intention to proceed with the 100th NEC meeting but insisted it would be done in full compliance with the PDP constitution and with broad consensus among stakeholders.

 

“The PDP remains committed to conducting its 100th NEC meeting in accordance with constitutional provisions and democratic norms. However, we will do so with collective consensus and proper coordination, not through the lens of personal posturing,” he said.

 

He urged party members to refrain from divisive actions and support ongoing reconciliation efforts aimed at stabilizing the party ahead of critical political milestones.