By Abigail Philip David
The internal crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, clarified that the National Working Committee (NWC) has not accepted the recent court ruling concerning the Rivers State Executive leadership. This directly contradicts claims made by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.
During a press conference in Abuja on Friday, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, criticized Ologunagba’s recent statements, suggesting they were driven by personal motives rather than the party’s official stance.
The PDP has been grappling with tensions stemming from the power struggle between Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Their rivalry over control of the PDP’s structure in Rivers State has fueled ongoing discord.
Despite attempts at reconciliation, Wike’s faction secured victories in the party’s Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses held on July 27, August 10, and August 31, 2024. Governor Fubara’s supporters boycotted these events, citing a restraining court order.
On January 13, 2025, the Rivers State High Court barred the executive committees led by Aaron Chukwuemeka, aligned with Wike, from functioning as PDP officials in the state.
Following the ruling, Ologunagba issued a statement on Thursday, asserting that the PDP had accepted the court’s decision and recognized Hon. Nname Robinson Ewor’s faction, aligned with Governor Fubara, as the legitimate Rivers State PDP leadership.
However, Abdullahi has now refuted Ologunagba’s claim, stressing that the NWC has not convened to discuss or approve any decision regarding the court judgment.
“In the way my colleague, Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, has been acting recently, it’s clear the party is uneasy with his behavior,” Abdullahi stated. “He claimed the NWC met and accepted the Rivers State judgment, which is false. The NWC hasn’t convened since September last year. This is verifiable.”
Abdullahi further accused Ologunagba of making similar unauthorized statements concerning legal matters in Imo and Ebonyi States, stressing that the Publicity Secretary lacks the authority to make such pronouncements without NWC approval.
“A National Publicity Secretary cannot act independently. He must obtain clearance before speaking for the NWC,” Abdullahi emphasized. “His recent conduct reflects a disregard for protocol, which is concerning, especially for someone with a legal background.”
Efforts by reporters to reach Ologunagba for comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages.
