The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has denounced comments by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) advisory on the party’s plans to convene its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The INEC leadership had, a few days ago, faulted a letter to the Commission, signed by Damagum, informing it of the party’s decision to hold the NEC meeting on June 30.
The electoral body had faulted the party chairman’s letter on the grounds that it was not co-signed by the PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
But Ologunagba, had, at a media briefing on Sunday, dismissed INEC’s objection to the planned NEC meeting, vowing the party would hold the meeting in spite of the electoral body’s objection.
The party spokeman had chided INEC for what he described as the electoral body’s undue interference with the internal affairs of the PDP.
But Damagum, in a letter on Monday, dated June 23, 2025,
denounced Ologunagba’s comments, were his personal opinion and did not represent the party’s views on the matter.
A copy of the chairman’s letter, obtained by The Whistler, reads, “My attention, as the Ag. National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been drawn to a recent press interactions comments made by our National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, concerning the Party’s scheduled 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the purported position of the Party regarding communications from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Let me clearly and unequivocally state that the comments by Hon. Debo Ologunagba were made without the authority or approval of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party.
“The comments were made prematurely and without due consultation, especially in light of the fact that a meeting has already been scheduled for Teusday, 24th June 2025 between the party leaders, stakeholder, the Ag. National Chairman of PDP and the Chairman of INEC to address the concerns raised in the letter sent to our Party.
“It is shocking and unfortunate that such a sensitive matter was addressed publicly without recourse to established internal processes or the leadership of the Party. In my capacity as the Ag. National Chairman, I wish to make it categorically clear that the views expressed by Hon. Ologunagba in that press interactions are entirely his personal opinions and do not represent the official position of the PDP.
“Regrettably, this is not the first time that Hon. Ologunagba has acted unilaterally, disregarding the collective decision-making structures of the Party. While the Party remains committed to defending its internal autonomy and resisting undue interference from external forces, it must do so in a responsible and unified manner. Our strength lies in our unity, discipline, and adherence to due process.”
The PDP chairman however, reaffirmed the party’s commitment towards conducting its 100th NEC meeting in accordance with constitutional provisions and democratic norms.
He added that the PDP will do so with collective consensus and proper coordination, “and not through the lens of personal posturing.”
“We appreciate the support and vigilance of all party faithful and assure the public that the leadership of the PDP is fully engaged in resolving this matter responsibly and transparently,” Damagum said.
