The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently in a serious internal crisis following the suspension of key members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Naija News reports that chaos escalated from Thursday night to early Friday morning when the Umaru Damagum-led NWC announced the suspension of the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, and the National Legal Adviser, Mr. Kamarudeen Ajibade (SAN). I understand that.
In a swift counterattack, factions within the party aligned with Mr. Ologunagba retaliated by suspending Mr. Damagum and the national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Sources said the crisis took a sharp turn during the NWC meeting when discussion moved to the “other business” section of the agenda.
Tensions escalated after the South East State Deputy Chairman, Ali Odefa, who was earlier suspended by a faction in Ebonyi State, accused him of supporting those opposed to Ajibade.
Adding fuel to the conflict, another NWC member criticized Mr. Ologunagba for issuing a public statement urging PDP members in Rivers State to participate in the recent local government elections, a move that the NWC group This is reportedly contrary to the decision.
The meeting became increasingly contentious and Odefa and Ajibade were asked to leave the room in view of the allegations against them. Mr Ologunagba did not attend the meeting.
The situation escalated further when members were called for a vote on the issue, which enraged Mr. Ajibade. Expressing dissatisfaction, the general counsel reportedly packed up his belongings and left the meeting, saying he could not stand the measures being taken.
The National Treasurer, who reportedly sided with Mr. Ologunagba, also expressed dissatisfaction, saying: “That can’t happen. That won’t happen.”
However, National Vice-Chairman (Southern) Ambassador Taofik Alapaja dismissed their protests, arguing: “Let’s see how three members are more powerful than 17.” we have numbers. ”
The meeting descended into chaos, with NWC members shouting at each other, claiming equal authority within the committee.
Tensions reached a boiling point and security was eventually called in to escort party officials from the venue.
Amid the conflict, allegations surfaced that foreign currency was distributed to sway the loyalty of certain members, an accusation that Ibrahim, acting national communications director, vehemently denied.
“There was no inducement and we are not driven by any outside interests,” Ibrahim told reporters at PDP headquarters.
