The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Friday as the party’s acting National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, from the Umar Damagum faction, confirmed the suspension of Debo Ologunagba, the party’s official spokesperson.
Abdullahi revealed that Ologunagba was suspended due to his involvement in activities considered harmful to the party, specifically related to the political tension in Rivers State. “Ologunagba was suspended for engaging in anti-party actions, including issuing a statement regarding the Rivers Local Government elections,” Abdullahi explained during a press conference in Abuja.
The controversy began when Ologunagba released a press statement encouraging residents to participate in the Rivers council elections, insisting that no court had the power to stop the polls from taking place. This stance reportedly clashed with the party’s official position amid the unfolding political situation in the state.
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Earlier on Friday, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) had announced the suspension of both Ologunagba and the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), due to their alleged actions. This announcement was made by the PDP’s National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, who reiterated the party’s dedication to upholding discipline among its members.
Nnorom also shared that a special committee, led by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, has been established to investigate the accusations against the suspended officials in line with the PDP’s constitution.
Abdullahi further clarified that the decision to suspend Ologunagba followed a vote by the NWC, with eight members in favor and four against. He dismissed any speculation that the suspension was politically motivated or influenced by external factors, emphasizing that the NWC acted within its authority to maintain party discipline.
