The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday witnessed a deepening internal crisis following the public disavowal of its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba.
Naija News reported that the controversy arose after Abdullahi held a press conference in Abuja.
Mr. Abdullahi, in a briefing, withdrew his party’s previous support for the Rivers State executive committee supported by Governor Siminalai Hubara.
He also accused Mr. Ologunagba of misrepresenting the position of the National Working Committee (NWC) on important issues such as the court’s judgment against the Rivers State House of Assembly and the leadership of the party’s national secretary.
In response, Mr. Ologunagba categorically rejected Mr. Abdullahi’s actions, saying that Mr. Abdullahi had no authority to speak on behalf of the party without direct approval.
Mr Ologunagba clarified to the Saturday Tribune that he had not delegated media relations to Mr Abdullahi, stressing that such communications must be in accordance with the party constitution and bylaws.
“If there is a national spokesperson, the chairman does not have the power to delegate anyone to represent the party,” he said.
Mr. Ologunagba further stressed that MPs can only act when explicitly authorized, adding that Mr. Abdullahi’s independent action violates party rules.
Abdullahi, in a press conference, accused the PDP leadership of not formally adopting the court judgment legitimizing the Ewol-led Rivers State Executive Committee.
He refuted Mr Ologunagba’s earlier statement that the NWC had upheld the judgment, claiming that no NWC meeting had been held since September 2024.
“The NWC has not yet held a meeting to take any decision regarding Rivers State. Mr. Ologunagba’s claims are false and baseless,” Mr. Abdullahi said, acting on the instructions of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Elijah Damagum. He claimed that he was acting as such.
Abdullahi also criticized Ologunagba’s handling of the domestic crisis, accusing him of unilateral actions influenced by personal bias.
“We’re seeing a situation where personal feelings are clouding his judgment,” he said.
On the issue of the party’s national secretary, Mr. Abdullahi claimed that the PDP recognized Senator Samu Anyanwu as a substantive officer, citing the stay of execution of an earlier appellate court judgment in favor of Mr. Udeokoye on Sunday. . This contradicted Mr Ologunagba’s previous statements and further highlighted divisions within the party.
Ologunagba reiterated the need to uphold the party constitution and warned that Abdullahi’s actions risked damaging the credibility of the PDP.
“The Constitution must be respected,” he said. “The national communications director is the appropriate communication channel. Abdullahi cannot act beyond the constitutional or substantive authority of the official.”
