The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently embroiled in a significant internal crisis following the suspension of key members of its National Working Committee (NWC).
Naija News understands that the turmoil escalated between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday when the Umar Damagum-led NWC announced the suspension of the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN.
In a swift counter-move, a faction within the party aligned with Ologunagba retaliated by suspending Damagum and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Sources indicate to Daily Trust that the crisis took a sharp turn during an NWC meeting when discussions shifted to the “Any Other Business” section of the agenda.
Tensions flared after Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman for the South-East, who had previously been suspended by a faction in Ebonyi State, accused Ajibade of backing those working against him.
Further adding fuel to the conflict, another NWC member criticized Ologunagba for issuing a public statement urging PDP members in Rivers State to participate in the recent local government elections, a move that reportedly defied the NWC’s collective decision.
As the meeting became increasingly contentious, Odefa and Ajibade were asked to leave the room, given the allegations against them. Ologunagba was not present at the meeting.
The situation escalated when members were called to vote on the matter, which infuriated Ajibade. The legal adviser expressed his discontent, gathered his belongings, and left the meeting, reportedly stating that the actions being taken would not stand.
The National Financial Secretary, who reportedly sided with Ologunagba, also expressed frustration, declaring, “It cannot happen. It will not happen.”
However, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, the Deputy National Chairman (South), dismissed their protests, asserting, “Let’s see how three members can be more powerful than seventeen. We have the numbers.”
The meeting descended into chaos, with NWC members shouting at each other, claiming equal authority within the committee.
Security personnel were eventually called in to escort the party officials out of the venue as tensions reached a boiling point.
Amidst the discord, allegations emerged that foreign currency had been distributed to sway certain members’ loyalties, an accusation the acting National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim, vehemently denied.
Speaking to reporters at the PDP headquarters, Ibrahim stated, “There was no inducement, and we are not driven by any external interest.”
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