Stability beckons as PDP confirms Damagum as chairman

Nigeria’s own Grand Old Party (GOP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) triumphed its adversity this Monday as it confirmed Umar Damagum as its substantive National Chairman until an elective convention scheduled for November. The party which had been managing a debilitating internal strife since its last presidential primary in 2023, took the decision at its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at its national headquarters, the Wadata House, Abuja. The confirmation was one of the key resolutions reached during the ongoing NEC meeting held severally postponed due to wrangling orchestrated by stalwarts who felt cheated shortchanged during the 2023 presidential primary. Damagum was administered an oath of office during the meeting by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, in accordance with Article 65 of the PDP Constitution. The decision came less than three months before the PDP’s national convention, slated to hold from Nov. 15 to Nov. 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. In his acceptance speech, Damagum expressed gratitude to the party’s leadership for the confidence reposed in him and the National Working Committee (NWC). “Before now, I thought all we were doing was not being appreciated. “This gesture is not just for me, but for the entire NWC. I owe it to them. “To have navigated this party this far, we came in at a time when things were very hard, but to the glory of God, we are still intact as one indivisible party,” he added. Damagum had assumed the role of acting national chairman on March 28, 2023, following a Benue State High Court order that confirmed the removal of former Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu. At the time, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced Damagum’s appointment, citing Section 45 (2) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017). Prior to his appointment, Damagum served as the PDP Deputy National Chairman (North).

Protest Erupts at Cross River PDP Office Over Ousted Chairman

Protests have ensued from efforts by officials of Cross River Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to re-install the ousted Chairman, Mr. Venatius Ikem. As the move crystalise, party faithfuls converged on the state secretariat in Calabar, voicing their strong disapproval over the potential reinstatement of the party’s ousted state chairman.  Members from various local government areas and wards across the state gathered, holding placards expressing their dissatisfaction with the former chairman’s leadership. The protesters made it clear that if Ikem were reinstated, they would consider leaving the party. Some placards boldly declared their stance with messages like “Ikem must go,” and “The decision of the Cross River State Working Committee (SWC) is the best for the party.”  The protest, led by the chairman of Calabar Municipality, Bassey Asuquo, emphasized the belief that removing Ikem was a necessary step for revitalizing the party’s fortunes in the region. Asuquo and other local leaders spoke passionately about how Ikem’s leadership had hindered the progress of the PDP in Cross River.  They argued that his actions had caused stagnation and division within the party, which they believed was detrimental to its overall growth. “We fully support any measure, including the removal of Ikem, that will help the party move forward,” Asuquo stated. “If the national leadership reinstates him, we’ll have no choice but to leave.” The protest gained further momentum with comments from Chief Dennis Nkiri, the PDP’s deputy state chairman, who assured the demonstrators that the party’s leadership was committed to doing what was best for its development.  Mike Ojisi, the party’s state Publicity Secretary, added a metaphorical warning, saying, “We want Jonah to be removed from the boat for it not to sink.” Ikem’s removal, which took place two weeks ago, followed serious accusations of financial mismanagement, authoritarian leadership, and poor performance.  However, the former chairman has contested the decision, labeling it as unconstitutional, and has threatened to seek legal action to reverse it. Despite his protestations, the anger among local party members remains palpable, with many insisting that his exit is non-negotiable for the future of the PDP in Cross River.

PDP Leadership Faces Internal Conflicts as Factions Suspend Key Members

Some observers however, express the view that these officials are merely puppets dancing to a drumbeat outside the PDP. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is experiencing a leadership tussle as factions within its National Working Committee (NWC) clash. The camp led by the acting National Chairman, Illiya Damagum, recently suspended two key officials—National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade. This action follows the constitution of a committee headed by Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate alleged violations by the suspended officers. In response, the other faction, associated with Ologunagba, retaliated by suspending Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu. This group accused Damagum and Anyanwu of undermining the party’s position in a court case involving former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. They cited breaches of the party’s constitution and referred the matter to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action. The situation has escalated with new acting officials appointed: Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga as Acting National Publicity Secretary and Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha as Acting National Legal Adviser. The factions appear determined to consolidate power, indicating deeper divisions within the PDP as both sides prepare for further investigations and disciplinary proceedings. Meanwhile, some observers express the view that these officials are merely puppets dancing to a drumbeat by an active offset interested party. Those who express this view cite the squabble in the Labour Party, the second runner-up in the 2023 presidential election as evidence that a vested interest is masterminding these conflicts in order to weaken the opposition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

PDP asks IGP to stop pro-Wike lawmakers from disrupting governance

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to caution the 27 ousted members of the Rivers State House of Assembly against actions that could disrupt Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration. In a press statement on Wednesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba noted that these lawmakers, who had pledged allegiance to former Governor Nyesom Wike, openly defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ologunagba cited the 1999 Constitution, stating that their defection disqualifies them from holding legislative positions in the assembly, and therefore, they lack the authority to convene or issue directives to the governor. Ologunagba, in the statement, said, “The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the umpteenth time, cautions the former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who lost their seats upon defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) @OfficialAPCNg to desist from actions and utterances that are capable of disrupting peace and governance in the State. “The Party counsels the former lawmakers to wake up to the reality that they are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by virtue of the self-executory provision of Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and as such cannot gather or issue any notice to the State Governor in the capacity of members of Rivers State House of Assembly,” he explained. According to the party’s national spokesperson, the caution followed the former lawmakers’ purported seven-day ultimatum issued from an unknown location to the governor to re-present the 2024 state’s budget already passed and signed into law. Ologunlagba said the action by pro-Wike lawmakers’ seeking to assume the powers of the state assembly “is apparently with the intension to cause crisis, undermine and disrupt the Democratic and Constitutional Order in the State in clear violation of Section 1 sub-section 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).” “Having irretrievably lost their seats upon their defection from the PDP, the political Party platform upon which they were elected into the Rivers State House of Assembly, they cannot enjoy the powers, rights, privileges, recognition and obligations of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” Mr Ologunagba insisted. The party, therefore, charged the IG “to note the subversive action of these former lawmakers and take immediate action to protect the Institution of Democracy, peace and security in Rivers State.” He also urged the state’s residents to stay vigilant, uphold the law, and collaborate towards maintaining stability, peace, and the delivery of democratic benefits under the party’s leadership.

Rivers crisis: Court affirms 27 defected legislators as PDP Members 

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has affirmed that 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, are still members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.  Justice Okogbule Gbasam of the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt stated on Monday that the claimants were unable to demonstrate that Martin Amaewhule and the 26 other legislators had switched to the APC. Justice Gbasam emphasized that party membership is established through being on the party’s register or possessing a membership card, stating that televised events or verbal declarations were insufficient proof. The PDP had requested to be part of the case and was included as the fourth defendant. Additionally, Justice Gbasam emphasized that the Rivers State government must adhere to all laws enacted by the Assembly since the members are still part of the PDP, and their inclusion in the party’s membership register is the determining factor. He also mentioned that the state government must follow the laws created by the Assembly since the members are still part of the PDP and have not forfeited their positions.

Details Of PDP NEC Meeting Emerge

The details of the 98th Meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have emerged. The NEC expressed concern over the ill-implemented policies of the insensitive APC administration, leading to worsening insecurity, harrowing economic hardship, soaring unemployment rate, high cost of food and other necessities of life with pervading misery and despondency across the country.  It also expressed serious apprehensions over the spate of acts of terrorism and violence including the escalated cases of mindless killings, mass abduction of innocent Nigerians and marauding of communities in various parts of the country. It condemned the insensitivity, nonchalance, incompetence and arrogance in failure of the APC administration which continues to conduct itself in a manner that shows that it has no iota of interest or commitment towards the wellbeing of Nigerians.  It also kicked against the creeping totalitarianism and tendencies towards a One-Party State which is inimical to the peace, stability and corporate existence of our nation as well as the development of Democracy and good governance in the country. The PDP after due consideration demanded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should urgently convene a special National Security Council meeting to proffer a holistic solution and measures to curb the disturbing insecurity with its attendant negative consequences on our national life.   It also appealed that President Tinubu should immediately rejig his Economic Team to bring in persons of proven integrity and competence without bias and vested interest to assist in repositioning the economy.

PDP Meetings: Court to rule on Uche Seconds motion seeking stay of execution

Justice Inyang Ekwo, Wednesday, adjourned till Thursday to rule on a motion filed by a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus seeking the stay of execution of the order of the court restraining him and two others from participating in PDP meetings. The federal high court Abuja will be ruling in an ex-parte motion filed by a PDP member from Rivers State, Titus Jones, seeking an order restraining Secondus from attending party meetings. Uche Secondus; the PDP; Acting Party National Chairman, Umar Damagun; PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; PDP National Executive Committee; PDP National Working Committee; PDP Board of Trustees and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC are first to eight defendants respectively. Justice Ekwo, who made the order following a motion ex-parte, brought his court by Titus Jones granted the seven prayers, which, among other things, sought to stop Secondus from participating in the meetings slated to hold next week. When the matter came up on Wednesday, the court was informed of an appeal filed by the former PDP national chairman against that order of the court issued on April 5th, 2024. Titus Jones, a member of the PDP had filed a suit seeking an order restraining the NEC, NWC, party’s chairman, secretary, and BoT from allowing Secondus to attend any of the meetings pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, having been suspended from the party. According to Justice Ekwo, in his ruling on the exparte motion filed by Jones held that, “Order is hereby made restraining the 1st Defendant from demanding for any notice of National Caucus meetings or meetings of the National Executive Committee (5th Defendant) or Board of Trustees (7th Defendant) or any other meetings of the 2nd Defendant from the 4th Defendant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice. “Order is hereby made restraining the 1st Defendant from attending any meeting of the 2nd Defendant, be it caucus meetings, meetings of the National Executive Committee (5th Defendant) or Board of Trustees (7th Defendant) or any other meeting howsoever described participating in the proceedings, deliberations of any such meeting pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice. “Order is hereby made restraining the 4th Defendant, his Agents, Servants, Subordinates, Officers howsoever described from giving any notice of meeting of the 2nd Defendant be it caucus meetings, meetings of the National Executive Committee (5th Defendant) or Board of Trustees (7th Defendant) or any other meeting however called to the 1st Defendant who has been suspended from the 2nd Defendant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice. “Order is hereby made restraining the 2nd defendant, its Officers, Servants, Agents, Privies, Organs howsoever described from granting access or allowing the 1st Defendant to attend and/or participate in the meetings of the National Caucus, the National Executive Committee or the Board of Trustees or any other meeting of the 2nd Defendant while his suspension subsists pending the hearing and determination ofthe Motion on Notice. “Order is hereby made restraining the 8th Defendant, its Officers, Servants, Agents howsoever described from according recognition to the report, proceedings, conclusions or resolutions reached at any meeting of the 2nd Defendant held in violation of the judgment in the case of Ibeawuchi Ernest Alex & 4 Ors, V. Prince Uche Secondus Suit No: PHC/2183/CS/2021 and Articles 30 (1) (S), 31(1) (u) and 32 (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (as amended in 2017) pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice”, among others.

NEC Meeting: PDP Reps meet amid party crisis

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party, House of Representatives caucus, are currently meeting at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. This is happening hours ahead of a media parley slated for Tuesday (today) by 60 lawmakers loyal to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. Last week, 60 opposition lawmakers led by the member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, demanded the resignation of the PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, for alleged incompetence and anti-party activities. Barely 24 hours after the Ugochinyere-led group addressed the media, the House minority caucus led by its chairman, Kingsley Chinda, disowned the group, labelling it an unknown body to the parliament. Although the details of the ongoing meeting were sketchy at press time, it may not be unconnected with the National Executive Committee meeting of the party slated for Thursday at the PDP headquarters, where issues ranging from anti-party activities of prominent members as well as the status of Damagum will be up for deliberation. A lawmaker attending the meeting said that issues concerning the nation are slated for discussion. He noted that details of the meeting will be made public later in the day. “It is a regular meeting of the caucus to appraise the security situation of the country,” he said. Both Chinda and Ugochinyere are attending the meeting.

Six Labour Party Lawmakers Defect To PDP

Six members of the Labour Party at the Enugu State House of Assembly have officially decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The lawmakers had attempted to defect last Sunday in an elaborate party at the Okpara Square but the event came to an abrupt end. Party supporters were asked to leave Okpara Square, the proposed venue of the event. However, on Thursday during plenary at the state House of Assembly complex, the lawmakers made their defection known in a letter read by the speaker, Hon. Uche Ugwu. According to the speaker, the defecting members include Mr. Ejike Nwa Nsukka, (Igbo-Eze North 1); Mr. Johnson Ugwu (Enugu North); Ms. Princess Ugwu (Enugu South Rural); Mr. Pius Onyeka Ezugwu (Nsukka West); Mr. Williams T. Amuka (Igbo-Etiti East) and Mr. Osita Eze (Oji River). The speaker said that their defection was a result of the “existence of irreconcilable division, incessant crisis within the Labour Party at the national level and across all the state chapters.” He continued: “Regrettably, the party has evolved into a state of perpetual discord with various factions embroiled in legal battles thereby undermining its ability to effectively serve the interest of the people. “The Labour Party once a beacon of hope for progressive ideas has regrettably become synonymous with internal squabbles, thereby reducing its capacity to fulfil the aspirations of the electorate”. They cited the cases of the Abure and Apapa factions as well as the national treasurer as some of the divisions within the party.