The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) witnessed a deepening internal crisis on Friday after its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdulahi, was publicly disavowed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.
Naijaonpoint reports that the dispute arose following a press conference held by Abdulahi in Abuja.
During the briefing, Abdulahi reversed the party’s prior endorsement of the Governor Siminalayi Fubara-supported executive committee in Rivers State.
He also accused Ologunagba of misrepresenting the National Working Committee’s (NWC) stance on critical issues, including a court ruling on Rivers State congresses and the leadership of the party’s National Secretary.
In response, Ologunagba firmly rejected Abdulahi’s actions, stating that he had no authority to speak for the party without direct approval.
Ologunagba clarified to Saturday Tribune that he had not delegated Abdulahi to address the media, stressing that such communications must adhere to the party’s constitution and protocols.
“The chairman does not have the authority to delegate someone to speak for the party when the National Publicity Secretary is available,” he said.
Ologunagba further emphasized that deputies could only act when expressly authorized, adding that Abdulahi’s independent actions were a violation of party rules.
At the press conference, Abdulahi accused the PDP leadership of failing to officially adopt a court ruling that validated the Ewor-led Rivers State executive committee.
He contradicted Ologunagba’s earlier statement that the NWC had endorsed the judgement, claiming that no NWC meeting had occurred since September 2024.
“The NWC has not met to adopt any judgement regarding Rivers State. Ologunagba’s claim is false and unsubstantiated,” Abdulahi stated, asserting that he was acting on the directive of the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum.
Abdulahi also criticized Ologunagba’s handling of internal crises, accusing him of unilateral actions influenced by personal biases.
“We are witnessing a situation where personal sentiment is clouding his judgement,” he said.
On the issue of the party’s National Secretary, Abdulahi claimed that the PDP had recognized Senator Sam Anyanwu as the substantive officeholder, citing a stay of execution order against a previous Appeal Court ruling in favor of Sunday Ude-Okoye. This contradicted earlier remarks by Ologunagba, further exposing divisions within the party.
Ologunagba reiterated the need to uphold the party’s constitution, warning that Abdulahi’s actions risked damaging the PDP’s credibility.
“The constitution must be respected,” he said. “The National Publicity Secretary is the proper channel of communication. Abdulahi cannot act outside the constitution or the authority of the substantive officer.”