A new wave of crisis has surfaced ahead of the June 30th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, with the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, disowning the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, over his comment on the letter written to the party, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ologunagba had on Sunday addressed the issue, insisting that the PDP does not need the approval of INEC to hold its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
He argued that the NEC meeting of the PDP will be held as scheduled with or without the approval of INEC, adding that the letter of notice was just courtesy extended to the commission.
Recall that INEC had written to the party asking its leaders to be guided over the notice of the NEC meeting that was signed by only Damagum.
According to the electoral umpire, the letter was supposed to be signed by Damagum and the NPS of the party.
However, in a statement on Monday which he personally signed, Damagum stated that the comment by Hon. Ologunagba was made without the approval of the party’s NWC.
He said the comments made to journalists at the party’s headquarters by Ologunagba were prematurely and without due consultation, “especially in light of the fact that a meeting has already been scheduled for Tuesday, 24th June 2025 between the party leaders, stakeholders, the Ag. National Chairman of PDP and the Chairman of INEC to address the concerns raised in the letter sent by the commission to the opposition party (PDP).”
Damagum also expressed shock that such a sensitive matter was addressed publicly by the party spokesman without recourse to established internal processes or the leadership of the Party.
Damagum therefore declared that the comments made by the NPS were entirely his personal opinions and do not represent the official position of the PDP.
Part of the statement said, “Let me clearly and unequivocally state that the comment by Hon. Debo Ologunagba was made without the authority or approval of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party.
“The comments was made prematurely and without due consultation, especially in light of the fact that a meeting has already been scheduled for Tuesday, 24th June 2025 between the party leaders, stakeholder, the Acting National Chairman of PDP and the Chairman of INEC to address the concerns raised in the letter sent to our Party.
“It is shocking and unfortunate that such a sensitive matter was addressed publicly without recourse to establish internal processes or the leadership of the Party. In my capacity as the Ag. National Chairman.
“I wish to make it categorically clear that the views expressed by Hon. Ologunagba in that press interactions are entirely his personal opinions and do not represent the official position of the PDP.
“Regrettably, this is not the first time that Hon. Ologunagba has acted unilaterally, disregarding the collective decision-making structures of the Party.
“While the Party remains committed to defending its internal autonomy and resisting undue interference from external forces, it must do so in a responsible and unified manner.”
Damagum said the PDP remains committed to conducting its 100th NEC meeting in accordance with constitutional provisions and democratic norms.
“However, we will do so with collective consensus and proper coordination, not through the lens of personal posturing,” the statement said.
