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DAMAGUM WILL REMAIN CHAIRMAN TILL DECEMBER 2025 – PDP AS ANYANWU, UDE-OKOYE CONTINUE TO DIVIDE PARTY
Elected deputies of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have declared that all members of the party contributed to the current crisis rocking the main opposition party.
This is as they declared support for Umar Damagum and maintained that he would remain in office as the PDP Chairman until December 2025.
The PDP chieftains, led by the party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Comrade Timothy Osadolor, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, added that anyone who is not okay with the declaration can exit the party.
According to Osadolor and his colleagues, no single individual can be blamed for the current situation in which the party has found itself, adding that it is time to stop the blame game and work for the restoration of the party’s fortunes.
He also challenged party members to stop using court orders and media interviews to distract the party and join hands with Damagum to move the PDP forward.
On the leadership crisis rocking the PDP regarding the National Secretary position, which two persons are laying claim to, Osadolor said the party would wait for the court’s decision.
He said, “From 2013 to date, personal ambitions have driven us to heights of pure mischief and arrogant use of power.
“This has led to agreements not being kept and the ambiguities in our Constitution being exploited by those in position, even through the courts.
“We are all complicit by being perpetrators, supporters, or silent. No one is coming to save us; we must stand up and become heroes; we brought ourselves here.
“This is no longer the time for a blame game; all have sinned. From the BOT chairman, who endorsed an opposition governor, to candidates that negotiated and supported other party candidates in promises to get their return support, to NWC members and leaders that lost their polling units.
“We must all come down from our high horses, forget pride for now, and join hands with the party as led by Amb. Illya Damagum to reposition this party back to winning ways.
“Court distractions and media demarketing of the PDP must stop forthwith. You do not need to like the officers, but the party is more important.
“If you want to resign and go, be a proper opposition; do not be here and go from TV house to radio house abusing the party.
“The case of the acting national chairman is settled till December 2025, and on that of the National Secretary, we wait on the courts. Let’s learn to love and support PDP first and always.”
He listed issues such as distrust, insincerity, lack of firm enforcement of agreements, self-serving interests, and unnecessary eye service that is laced with smooth tongues as some of the factors responsible for the PDP crisis.
Osadolor added that the PDP is also dealing with the tyranny of the All Progressives Congress-led federal government against the party and Nigerians in general.
“This behaviour is apparently self-serving on their part, as it is not in the interest of the PDP in any way. It is ethically and morally wrong for members of the party to move around creating confusion instead of exploring our internal mechanism for peace,” he added.
Those present at the press briefing were the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor, Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi, Deputy National Financial Secretary Ndubisi Eneh, and National Deputy Organising Secretary Pascal Adigwe.
Meanwhile, the crisis over the National Secretary position persists, as conflicting claims from Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye highlight deep divisions in the party.
Despite a court order to maintain the status quo, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, declared Ude-Okoye as the recognised National Secretary. Anyanwu, citing a recent Court of Appeal ruling, insists he retains the position until the Supreme Court resolves the matter.
The controversy stemmed from Anyanwu’s selection as the PDP governorship candidate for Imo State in 2023.
The party’s South-East zone nominated Ude-Okoye to replace him as National Secretary, arguing that Anyanwu should vacate the position following his gubernatorial candidacy.
On December 20, 2024, the Appeal Court in Enugu affirmed Ude-Okoye as the PDP National Secretary, a decision officially communicated to the party on December 24.
However, last week, the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a restraining order, allowing Anyanwu to remain National Secretary until the Supreme Court resolves the appeal.
The hearing for a stay of execution motion, filed by PDP Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, is set for January 27, 2025.
Confirming reports of division within the National Working Committee, Ologunagba supported Ude-Okoye’s appointment, referencing the Enugu judgment.
In contrast, Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi. upheld the Abuja court order, declaring Anyanwu as the rightful National Secretary.
He said: “The issue is very clear. This started with the National Vice Chairman, South-South, who has now been removed by the court. He presided over a kangaroo meeting and misled the Enugu State Governor into believing I had violated the constitution.
“I obtained a Federal High Court judgment affirming my position and stating that my tenure remains valid until December 2025. Despite this, on December 20th, the Appeal Court in Enugu ruled in favor of Ude-Okoye. We have since filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, and an interim stay of execution has been granted.”
Anyanwu called on party leaders to prioritize unity over personal ambitions, stating, “This crisis is driven by some individuals’ political ambitions for 2027. I remain committed to rallying the party and ensuring its survival.”
Ude-Okoye, however, dismissed claims of a stay of execution. In an interview, he asserted:
“There is no stay of execution from any court. The Appeal Court ruled that the status quo should be maintained. I assumed office on December 30th, 2024, and I am the National Secretary of the PDP.
“Some individuals are attempting to destabilize the party, but I remain focused on serving without hostility or destruction.”
Ologunagba reaffirmed Ude-Okoye’s position, stating, “The PDP is a party of law and order. The Enugu judgment has been complied with, and Honorable Ude-Okoye is the recognized National Secretary.
“There is no stay of execution. The status quo, as of now, is that Ude-Okoye remains the National Secretary.”
Attempts to reach PDP National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeeen Ajibade (SAN), and acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, for clarification were unsuccessful.
