PDP Crisis: Damagum’s faction gives insight into party fight

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has provided more insight into the crisis rocking the main opposition political party.

DAILY POST reports that the PDP has been divided into two factions with suspensions and counter-suspensions of its officials in recent days making the headlines.

In a press briefing by the PDP Acting National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, in Abuja on Monday, the party called for caution among members of the National Working Committee.

Speaking on the ongoing imbroglio, Manga frowned at the acts of vituperation against the party’s corporate existence, saying it is nothing but condemnable!

“This is therefore a clarion call to all concerned to see to it that the PDP is not destroyed due to avoidable conflicts,” he said.

“We must ensure that certain actions are not guided by ‘sentiments and personal interest’ but in compliance with the provisions of the Party’s Constitution and other extant guidelines that interpret all its intent and purposes.

He explained that the reason for NWC’s decision to temporarily suspend the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, was to allow the 4-Man NWC Investigation Committee set up under the Chairmanship of Deputy National Chairman (South), H.E. Amb Taofeek Arapaja, to freely investigate the allegations of ‘abuse of office and insubordination’ levelled against the duo.

“For the record, both NWC affected officers are senior lawyers who should know better on how to preserve the sanctity of the Organization and have equally participated in the suspension of some of their NWC colleagues in the past,” he added.

“So, why kill our great Party due to the collective decision of your colleagues against your actions instead of availing yourselves of the Investigation Committee’s window to be exonerated or otherwise?”

He called for restraint in the interest of the Party, saying it is the major opposition party in Nigeria and the hope of Nigerians for a better tomorrow in view of the APC strangulating, inept and clueless government nationwide.

“It is expedient to clear certain notions and misinformation trending on this Issue. Gentlemen of the Press, in the interest of our great Party’s teeming members, supporters and the general public who may have been misinformed about the situation, please do help us to inform truthfully what the matter is!

“Let all concerned know that the Deputy National Publicity Secretary (my humble self) now Acting National Publicity Secretary and Deputy National Legal Adviser and now Acting National Legal Adviser assumed office following the Decision of the NWC and it is in line with the PDP Constitution (2017 as Amended) following the ‘absence’ of our substantive officers.

“It is made abundantly clear in Sections 40(2) and 42(2). It is therefore distasteful for a leader(s) who ought to inform the uninformed but instead goes ahead to misinform on national television and other media channels that our assumption of office in acting capacity is unconstitutional and does not exist. Why?

‘Furthermore, we are constrained to express our utter disgust and disappointment in our colleagues’ resort to the ‘motor pack’ approach to a mere suspension aimed at providing them with the opportunity to clear themselves of certain allegations against them.
Although we have detailed knowledge of the DRUMMERS, the MASQUERADES should have been guided in their dance steps to avert stripping themselves naked on the stage.

“In the face of this reckless violation of a subsisting Court Order, we are hereby left with no option but to deploy the services of SECURITY AGENCIES in the enforcement of the Rule of Law.

“To this end, I want to very respectfully commend the intervention of the Chairman of the BoT, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and other well-meaning leaders of the Party on the need to seek an amicable solution soonest.

“We charge all our Party members to remain focused and keep supporting the PDP Leadership under the Acting National Chairman, H.E. Amb Umar Iliya Damagum until we achieve a lasting solution to our issues. “