…No cause for alarm – Ologuagba
A fresh crisis is brewing in the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following a power tussle between Iliyah Damagum, the party’s national chairman, and Samuel Anyanwu, the national secretary.
Both leaders are locked in a supremacy battle over who has the authority to summon meetings of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Anyanwu had unilaterally voided an earlier NWC decision dissolving the Akwa Ibom State Working Committee, whose tenure had expired.
BusinessDay gathered that at the 607th NWC meeting, summoned by the national chairman, the party constituted an 18-member caretaker committee to oversee the state chapter’s affairs pending a new congress.
But Anyanwu later issued a counter-directive to the Akwa Ibom PDP, urging it to ignore the national leadership’s directive. He described the NWC meeting as “illegal.”
Ologuagba dismisses Anyanwu’s claims
Reacting on Thursday, Debo Ologuagba, the party’s national publicity secretary, dismissed Anyanwu’s action, insisting that a single individual cannot override a binding NWC decision.
“Sixteen out of the 18 members of the NWC participated in the meeting where the decision was taken,” Ologuagba said, stressing that the chairman acted in line with Section 35 of the PDP Constitution.
“This party is strong and has the capacity to put itself together at the appropriate time. Every action we have taken so far is towards a successful convention,” he added.
Ologuagba insisted that preparations for the elective convention, scheduled for Ibadan on November 15 and 16, were on course.
“No one can stop the convention. We have consulted widely with every stakeholder, every chapter, every organ of the party. Everything that needs to be done is being done, and seamlessly,” he assured.
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Anyanwu doubles down
In a counter-statement, Anyanwu urged the Akwa Ibom PDP to disregard the dissolution, claiming no formal NWC was sitting to approve it.
He also accused Ologuagba of exceeding his mandate, declaring the earlier announcement “null and void and of no effect.”
Reaffirming the authority of the Akwa Ibom leadership, he directed state chairman Aniekan Akpan and his team to continue in office under the PDP Constitution.
Analysts warn of possible disruption
The contradictory directives have heightened tension within the party, fuelling fears that the tussle could undermine preparations for the Ibadan convention.
A party official, who spoke anonymously, suggested that “external forces” may be instigating the crisis to derail the convention.
“We have done very well so far in our preparations, but some people are not happy that the PDP is still vibrant and will do everything to destroy the party,” the source said.
‘The PDP is bigger than individuals’
Ologuagba, however, stressed that the party remains united.
“The PDP is above any individual. This is the only truly democratic party where ideas are contested, where we agree and disagree in orderliness. The Constitution prescribes order, and it is binding on all members,” he said.
Citing Section 35 of the PDP Constitution, he reaffirmed that the chairman is the chief executive of the party, with the mandatory function of summoning and presiding over meetings of the NEC, national caucus, and NWC.
“The chairman acted in full compliance with the Constitution when he convened the 607th NWC meeting,” Ologuagba noted, assuring members that the party has internal mechanisms to ensure discipline and order.
