PDP disowns spokesman’s statement accepting judgement nullifying congresses in Rivers

The national working committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says Debo Ologunagba, its spokesperson, was not authorised to issue a statement accepting the court judgement nullifying the congresses conducted in Rivers state in 2024.

BACKGROUND 

On Monday, the Rivers state high court nullified the congresses conducted by the PDP leadership in the state in August 2024.

The court also restrained the PDP’s state executive committee (SEC) from overseeing the party’s affairs, and barred Aaron Chukwuemeka from parading himself as the chairman.

The suit was instituted against Chukwuemeka and nine others.

The congresses, held in the 319 wards and 23 LGAs in August 2024, were reportedly backed by Nyesom Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

In a statement on Thursday, Ologunagba said the PDP NWC has accepted the court ruling.

Ologunagba stated that the PDP would now recognise the Nname Ewor-led SEC as the party’s legitimate leadership in Rivers state.

‘CALCULATED FALSEHOOD’ 

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Ibrahim Abdullahi, PDP deputy spokesperson, described Ologunagba’s statement as “calculated falsehood”.

Ibrahim said Umar Damagum, acting national chairman of the PDP, authorised him to dismiss the statement issued by Ologunagba.

“For the avoidance of doubt, not even the said judgement has been served on the party. The NWC has neither received nor sat to take any decision on the said judgement,” Abdullahi said.

“The NWC, hereby, distances itself from the calculated falsehood aimed at achieving a predetermined objective. Members of the public, especially the PDP family, are hereby enjoined to disregard and discard the publication, which is merely the figment of the NPS’s imagination.

“In the manner that my colleague (Debo Ologunagba) has demonstrated lately, it’s becoming very glaring and clear that the party is having discomfort with some of his disposition lately. He seems to have been speaking from both sides of his mouth.

“The NWC has not sat since September last year. So I wonder where he will now say the NWC sat and adopted and accepted the verdict recognising the Ewor-led state exco in Rivers state.

“A national publicity secretary does not enjoy such powers. He cannot speak for the NWC without clearance from the NWC. That is not the position of law. That is not expected of him as a lawyer. So, we have now come to a level where the sentiment that he has allowed to becloud his reasoning is beginning to take a toll on his job.”

When reached for comment, Ologunagba said Abdullahi cannot speak for the party unless he authorises him to do so.

“Is he a member of the NWC? He doesn’t speak for the party,” Ologunagba said.

“I speak for the party. I coordinate the activities of the party, and that is very clear. I don’t want to give premium to that individual. Don’t bring him to the fore.”

Ologunagba added that the judgment of the court must be complied with until an appellate court counters it.

The development has further exposed divisions within the PDP’s national working committee (NWC), which is reportedly split into factions. It has also escalated the crisis within the party’s Rivers state chapter.

Earlier on Monday, Ewor asserted himself as the legitimate chairman of the PDP in Rivers state, citing Ologunagba’s statement.