₦airaland Forum

JUST IN: PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, distances self, PDP NWC from Debo Ologunagba's attack on INEC.

May God bless the visionary acting National Chairman for his commitment to the rule of law.

The Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagum, has dissociated the party from remarks made by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, asserting that the Independent National Electoral Commission has no authority to halt the party’s 100th National Executive Committee meeting.

In a statement on Monday, Damagum clarified that the PDP leadership did not sanction Ologunagba’s statement, describing it as premature and made without proper consultation.

Once Nigeria’s leading political force, the Peoples Democratic Party has faced persistent setbacks since its 2015 loss, struggling with internal leadership disputes, defections, and unresolved congress issues across major regions.

A key flashpoint has been the tussle over the position of National Secretary between Sunday Udeh-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who is backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. This power struggle has further widened internal divisions and caused repeated delays in holding NEC meetings.

In a bid to restore order, the party named Setonji Koshoedo as Acting National Secretary. However, a fact-finding committee chaired by Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu found that the INEC officially recognizes Senator Anyanwu as the legitimate Secretary.

Subsequently, the PDP’s 99th NEC meeting fixed June 30 for its 100th NEC session, and on May 30, Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum issued a formal notice to INEC.

INEC, however, rejected the communication, citing its requirement that such notices must be jointly signed by both the National Chairman and National Secretary, and urged the party to follow proper procedures.

Responding to INEC’s stance, PDP Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in a press conference on Sunday stated that, under Nigerian law and the party’s constitution, INEC’s role is limited to receiving notification of conventions, congresses, or primaries involving the election of party officers or candidates.

He stated, “INEC has no role in the regular meetings of the NWC or NEC. These are internal party matters, as clearly established by the Supreme Court in numerous rulings.

He stated, “My attention, as the Ag. National Chairman of the PDP has been drawn to a recent press interactions comments made by our National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, concerning the Party’s scheduled 100th National Executive Committee (meeting and the purported position of the Party regarding communications from the INEC.

“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. The comments was made prematurely and without due consultation, especially in light of the fact that a meeting has already been scheduled for Teusday, 24th June 2025 between the party leaders, stakeholder, the Ag. National Chairman of PDP and the Chairman of INEC to address the concerns raised in the letter sent to our Party.

“It is shocking and unfortunate that such a sensitive matter was addressed publicly without recourse to establish internal processes or the leadership of the Party. In my capacity as the Ag. National Chairman, I wish to make it categorically clear that the views expressed by Hon. Ologunagba in that press interactions are entirely his personal opinions and do not represent the official position of the PDP.”

Damagum expressed regret, noting that this isn’t the first instance of Ologunagba acting independently, ignoring the party’s collective decision-making process.

He stressed that while the PDP is determined to protect its internal independence and push back against external interference, it must approach this in a unified and responsible way.

The Acting National Chairman stated, “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.

“We appreciate the support and vigilance of all party faithful and assure the public that the leadership of the PDP is fully engaged in resolving this matter responsibly and transparently.”

https://punchng.com/breaking-damagum-distances-pdp-from-publicity-secretarys-inec-remarks/

There is no room for fifth columnist like Debo in PDP

Just imagine a party preparing for the 2027 election but already in disarray. Internal issue wouldn't allow them to focus

The unserious Pdp

Any little comment I will be banned,this comment below is far worse than mine and yet was not banned.
Nairaland is c*mpromised

helinues:
Just imagine a party preparing for the 2027 election but already in disarray. Internal issue wouldn't allow them to focus

The unserious Pdp

Are you the one that sent me DMS just now? Please stop. I don't want to have anything with you okay

Pdp don Taya me
In fact I am tired about Nigerian issues

helinues:
Just imagine a party preparing for the 2027 election but already in disarray. Internal issue wouldn't allow them to focus

The unserious Pdp

Calm down my brother. The PDP is undergoing and important process

TonyeBarcanista:
Calm down my brother. The PDP is undergoing and important process

Important process in 2 years to the election while the party members are fighting themselves.

Karikashi:
Are you the one that sent me DMS just now? Please stop. I don't want to have anything with you okay

May God deliver you from the spirit of years trolling. Amen

helinues:
Important process in 2 years to the election while the party members are fighting themselves.

Na so we see am o, but it’s all part of partisan politics

helinues:
Just imagine a party preparing for the 2027 election but already in disarray. Internal issue wouldn't allow them to focus

The unserious Pdp

It's nice to see them in disarray. May it continue forever

helinues:
Just imagine a party preparing for the 2027 election but already in disarray. Internal issue wouldn't allow them to focus

The unserious Pdp

Please ooi. We don't want PDP and LP organised ooo. They will spoil market for the coalition. We want just one party for Nigerians that we Are going to support against the APC. 2027, it's battle between me and APC

This useless party are never ready at all, everyone is just a mole… wike go smile last

TonyeBarcanista:
Na so we see am o, but it’s all part of partisan politics

Pdp as a political party should just forget about the 2027 election as it's just too late for them to put their house in order

helinues:
Pdp as a political party should just forget about the 2027 election as it's just too late for them to put their house in order

It's a building process for the party. That's the truth

TonyeBarcanista:
It's a building process for the party. That's the truth

Building for the 2031 election right? As you can't be talking about the 2027 election

Na wahala plenti for Pipu Democratic Party like dis. Nawa oooooooooo

Until PDP tame the likes of wike there won't be peace

helinues:
Building for the 2031 election right? As you can't be talking about the 2027 election

For now PDP needs internal reform to be properly positioned

Most disunited party in Nigeria at the moment. The party seems accursed

Debo the suspended national publicity secretary is a mole working on how to kill PDP so that ATIKU can have an excuse to decamp

How many moles are in this party sef? Feels like they are more sellouts than party faithfuls.
Spits

PDP should be deregistered as a political party and registered as a house party.

PDP matter wearies me alot. Since Damagum became acting chairman, it has been one problem to another. It is a shame that PDP is going down the drainage.

Proudlyngwa:
PDP should be deregistered as a political party and registered as a house party.

Why na?

PDP is an opposition party!

They should be represented!

Don't worry PDP based on our intel , ADA has agreed to love OBI as such our new bride is ADA-OBI.

Ayewada .....

Damagun matured response show truly that he was once an ambassador.
Everyone cannot be flexing muscle and playing superiority in a well organised party.
I am sure that he will soon be remove from office by element who thinks he is too soft.

Damagun is a sisi. Among the worst things to happen to Nigeria

TonyeBarcanista:
There is no room for fifth columnist like Debo in PDP

This Damage or Damagu how did he sleep after destroying one of the biggest parties in Africa

This man to me is an advance APC Member. PDP for morning , APC for Night.

TonyeBarcanista:
For now PDP needs internal reform to be properly positioned

.or the solution is for PDP to suspend wike that is using Samuel Anyanwu that is loyal to wike to cause issues, problems, misunderstanding, divisions in the party.up till now the national secretary position is still causing problems in the party even after supreme court said it's an internal affairs that they should settle their matter by themselves..but up till now they cannot settle the national secretary issues

AntiChristian:
Why na?

PDP is an opposition party!

They should be represented!

PDP ceased to esixt after 2023 elections.

Outside being a platform for local government elections , it has no direction again.

Better it is disbanded and used as a platform for something else