Tensions have emerged within Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after its acting National Chairman, Alhaji Umar Damagum, publicly repudiated recent comments by the party’s spokesperson regarding procedural correspondence with the country’s electoral body.
National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, had told journalists that the party was under no legal obligation to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its routine meetings, including the pivotal National Executive Committee (NEC) gathering scheduled for 30 June.
But Damagum swiftly countered the statement, disavowing it as personal opinion and clarifying that the National Working Committee (NWC) had not authorised such a position.
“It is regrettable that such a significant matter was addressed in the media without consultation or approval from the leadership,” Damagum said in a statement circulated in Abuja. “As acting national chairman, I affirm that Mr Ologunagba’s comments do not reflect the PDP’s official viewpoint.”
He confirmed plans for a leadership meeting with INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to address compliance issues highlighted by the commission. INEC had informed the PDP that its invitation to the NEC meeting was improperly submitted, noting that both the national chairman and national secretary must jointly sign any such notice.
The controversy stems from a May 30 letter sent by the party to INEC, which drew a formal response on 13 June pointing out irregularities in line with electoral guidelines.
In response to the backlash, Ologunagba admitted his comments had been made without proper consultation and ahead of an already scheduled internal leadership meeting on 24 June.
Despite the dispute, Damagum insisted the PDP remains committed to upholding its internal autonomy and democratic values. “Our strength is in our cohesion and commitment to due process,” he noted, vowing that the NEC meeting will proceed in accordance with the party’s constitution and consensus-based decision-making.
The incident has cast a spotlight on the challenges facing the PDP’s internal coordination as it prepares for a critical milestone in its organisational timeline.
