*Calls Ologunagba’s comment premature, personal
By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Amb Ilya Damagum has disowned the sunday’s comments by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba that the party doesn’t need the approval of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to hold its 100th National Executive Committee NEC meeting slated for June 30 this year.
Ologunagba, it will be recalled, had addressed the media on Sunday during which he said that the NEC meeting of the PDP will be held as scheduled with or without the approval of INEC.
However, the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Damagum unequivocally stated that the comment by Hon. Debo Ologunagba was made without the authority or approval of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
Damagum, in a statement personally signed by him, pointed out that the comments made by Ologunagba
were made prematurely and without due consultation, especially in light of the fact that a meeting has already been scheduled for Tuesday, 24th June 2025 between the party leaders, stakeholders, the Ag. National Chairman of PDP and the Chairman of INEC to address the concerns raised in the letter sent by the commission to the leading opposition party (PDP).
He declared that it is shocking and unfortunate that such a sensitive matter was addressed publicly by Ologunagba without recourse to established internal processes or the leadership of the Party.
Damagum declared, categorically, that the comments made by the National Publicity Secretary of the party during the press interactions were entirely his personal opinions and do not represent the official position of the PDP.
The statement by Damagum 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 comment by Hon. Debo Ologunagba was made without the authority or approval of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party.
“The comments was made prematurely and without due consultation, especially in light of the fact that a meeting has already been scheduled for Tuesday, 24th June 2025 between the party leaders, stakeholder, the Acting 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 establish 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 remains committed to conducting its 100th NEC meeting in accordance with constitutional provisions and democratic norms. “However, we will do so with collective consensus and proper coordination, 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”, the statement concluded.
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