THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing fresh internal tension after its National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, dismissed as invalid the announcement of the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Committee.
Yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, had issued a statement declaring the state executive dissolved and unveiling a 31-member caretaker committee, led by Barrister Igwat Umoren, to oversee party affairs for three months pending fresh congresses.
But in a swift response, Anyanwu described the pronouncement as “null and void,” insisting that no formal meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) was held to approve such a decision.
“For clarity, that press release should be disregarded because there was no sitting of the NWC where such a resolution was taken,” Anyanwu stated in a letter addressed to the Akwa Ibom State PDP chairman.
He further argued that Ologunagba had overstepped his role, noting: “It is not the duty of the National Publicity Secretary to implement NWC decisions. Therefore, the purported dissolution carries no authority and has no effect.”
Reaffirming the legitimacy of the existing state exco, the National Secretary concluded: “The working committee of PDP in Akwa Ibom stands undissolved. Please consider this letter the rightful authority for you to continue your duties in line with the PDP constitution, 2017 as amended.”
The development highlights ongoing power tussles within the PDP as factions within the leadership continue to clash over control of party structures.