New Crisis Hits PDP Over Congress Disputes

New Crisis Hits PDP Over Congress Disputes

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a fresh crisis stemming from allegations that its acting national chairman, Ambassador Illiya Damagum, and the national organizing secretary, Captain Umar Bature, have been manipulating the results of recent state congresses. 

Former PDP national publicity secretary Kola Ologbondiyan has criticized Damagum and national secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu for challenging the party’s legal adviser, Mr. Ajibade SAN, over a case involving 27 lawmakers from Rivers State. Ologbondiyan claimed that Damagum and Anyanwu wrote to the Appeal Court in Rivers State, opposing the legal adviser’s position, which contravenes the party’s constitution that grants the national legal adviser authority to appoint legal representation.

Ologbondiyan has called for an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) to pass a vote of no confidence in Damagum and Anyanwu. The dispute, labeled case number PHC/2177/CS/2024, revolves around the defection of 27 PDP members from the Rivers State House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023.

Recent PDP congresses at the ward and local government levels have also stirred tensions, particularly in states like Kogi and Benue. On Arise TV, Ologbondiyan expressed disbelief at the actions of Damagum and Anyanwu, highlighting the contradiction of their court actions with the party’s constitutional provisions.

He described the situation as embarrassing and criticized the current leadership for undermining the party’s structures. He also accused Damagum of extending the party’s congress timetable without proper authority, aligning with a broader narrative of damaging the party’s integrity.

Over the weekend, opposition federal lawmakers led by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere accused Damagum and Anyanwu of attempting to sabotage PDP interests in Rivers State. Ugochinyere claimed that the two officials opposed a move by the PDP national legal adviser to neutralize pro-Wike lawmakers who defected from the PDP.

According to Ugochinyere, an ex parte order was issued on July 8, 2024, to restrain interactions with the defected lawmakers. Despite this, an appeal was filed against the order, which the PDP’s national legal adviser sought to withdraw. However, Damagum and Anyanwu’s letter to the Court of Appeal on August 15, 2024, rejecting the withdrawal, undermined the legal adviser’s authority and exacerbated the party’s internal conflicts.