The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Friday when the acting National Publicity Secretary of the Umar Damagum faction, Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed the suspension of the party’s suspended National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba. .
Abdullahi said Ologunagba’s suspension was directly related to the ongoing crisis in Rivers State.
“Mr Ologunagba has been suspended for allegedly anti-party activities after he issued a press statement regarding the Rivers Local Government elections,” Abdullahi disclosed at a press conference in Abuja.
Ologunagba’s statement, released on the eve of the Rivers City Council poll, urged residents to participate in the election, insisting that the court had no power to prevent the electoral process from proceeding.
This position reportedly contradicts the party’s official position amid the state’s election turmoil.
Earlier on Friday, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP announced the suspension of Mr. Ologunagba and the National Legal Adviser, Mr. Kamaludeen Ajibade (SAN).
The announcement was made by the PDP National Publicity Director, Mr. Chinwe Norom, who emphasized the party’s commitment to maintaining discipline among its members.
Mr Norom further revealed that the party has set up a committee headed by Deputy National Chairman (Southern) Taofik Alapaja to investigate the allegations against the suspended officers in accordance with the party’s constitution.
Abdullahi explained that the NWC held a vote on the issue and eight members supported the suspension and four opposed.
He also clarified that the NWC has the authority to discipline its members and rejected claims that the suspension was politically motivated or influenced by outside forces.
