Politics

Main Reason I Signed Letter To Appeal Court Over 27 Rivers Lawmakers — Damagum

Published

3 months ago

August 22, 2024

Admin

Acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Iliya Damagum, has explained his decision to sign the controversial letter to the Appeal Court on the case involving the embattled 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly contrary to the position of the party’s national legal adviser, Mr. Ajibade, SAN.

Damagum, who said there was a precedence for his action, noted that he and the party’s national secretary are the signatories of PDP, stressing that he didn’t make the decision without consulting members of his team.

He stated this on Wednesday while inaugurating the Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees of the party headed by Chief Tom Ikimi and Prince Olagunsoye Onyinlola, respectively.

Recall that a former national publicity secretary of PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, had lambasted Damagum and the party’s national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, for writing to the Appeal Court in Rivers State, insisting that the party would remain on an appeal over the embattled 27 Rivers State lawmakers contrary to the position of the party’s legal adviser, Mr. Ajibade, SAN.

The former party spokesman said the acting national chairman breached the party’s constitution by taking that action without recourse to the national legal adviser who, he said, is empowered by Section 42 (1) of the party’s constitution to nominate legal representation for the party.

Earlier, opposition federal lawmakers had accused Damagum and Anyanwu of orchestrating a plot to undermine the party’s interests in Rivers State.

The group led by Rep Ikenga Ugochinyere said Damagun and Anyawu opposed the PDP national legal adviser’s move to ensure that the sacked pro-Wike 27 lawmakers, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from PDP, are neutralised and stopped from doing any harm to PDP interest and possible removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office.

Ugochinyere explained that the Rivers State High Court had previously issued an ex parte order on July 8, 2024, restraining key state officials from interacting with the defected lawmakers.

However, he alleged that Dr. J.Y. Musa, SAN, filed an appeal against the order, despite opposition from the PDP’s national legal adviser.

He said, “The National Legal Adviser, constitutionally empowered to protect the interests of the PDP, had already moved to withdraw the appeal on July 24, 2024, recognizing its potential harm to the party.

“However, in a shocking turn of events, on August 15, 2024, Damagum and Anyanwu sent a letter to the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, dissociating themselves from the withdrawal, effectively undermining the Legal Adviser’s authority,” Ugochinyere said.

However, responding for the first time on the crisis, Damagum said, “I also want to use this opportunity to clear certain insinuations that have been trending on social media. Last I checked, the signatories of this party are the chairman and the secretary.

“Just because the chairman and secretary signed a letter, it has become an issue. People are making all sorts of insinuations about it. I don’t want to engage with the other person—it’s a distraction.

“But it pains me when I see someone who knows the workings of the NWC going on television to mislead the audience and say things that are not correct. It is painful. Very, very painful.

“There is precedent for what we did. During Kashamu’s case, the chairman and secretary brought it to the Supreme Court. There was also the issue of Anambra.

“Two issues arose. The chairman and secretary, in any situation, work as a team. I don’t make decisions without consulting my members,” the acting PDP national chairman stated.

Politics

Party Crisis Escalates: PDP NEC Meeting Delayed for the Fourth Time

Published

40 minutes ago

November 24, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has once again postponed its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which was scheduled for November 28, 2024.

This marks the fourth delay in holding the party’s 99th NEC session, raising questions about the party’s internal coordination amid its ongoing crisis.

The announcement came through a public notice signed by PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, in Abuja. According to Anyanwu, the rescheduling is to allow party leaders to attend the funeral of the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, wife of Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno. The funeral will run from November 27 to 29, 2024.

“At its meeting on Wednesday, the National Working Committee (NWC) considered the funeral programme of Mrs. Eno, which coincides with the scheduled NEC meeting. Recognizing the importance of commiserating with Governor Eno, the 99th NEC meeting will now be held on a date to be announced later,” the notice stated.

This latest delay follows a series of postponements since August, with the meeting initially rescheduled for September, then October 2, and subsequently November 28. The repeated deferrals have fueled speculation about deeper challenges within the party.

The NWC expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the change, urging NEC members to stay informed of the new date. As the PDP navigates these turbulent times, party stakeholders are closely watching to see how the leadership addresses the lingering crises.

Politics

PDP Govs Say Party Reviewing Ondo Poll, Fault Edo Election

Published

9 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reviewing the outcome of the Ondo governorship election.

This is according to the PDP Governors’ Forum which met in Jos, the Plateau State capital on Saturday.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had won the election by a landslide to earn a four-year ticket to the Government House in Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State.

But governors of the PDP in a resolution reached after its meeting accused the APC of manipulation during the exercise which took place last weekend with the party taking a distant second.

“Meanwhile, we are still examining the documents on the Ondo elections where the APC manipulated results after openly buying votes,” Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state who is the chairman of the forum said.

“The forum calls on the judiciary to save Nigerian democracy and the National Assembly to look into our electoral laws to make it difficult for institutional sabotage of the will of the people.”

Last weekend’s poll in Ondo came about two months after the governorship election in neighbouring Edo State which the PDP governors described as a “rape of democracy”.

“The forum notes with concern the rape of democracy in the Edo governorship elections. It is clear to everyone with a conscience that INEC manipulated results in favour of the APC candidate, when in fact, the majority of the lawful votes were won by PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo,” he said.

The governors also advocated that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party should call for a NEC meeting by the first week of February 2025.

This, the PDP governors said, is to allow for more consultations with stakeholders of the party towards addressing the lingering leadership crisis in the main opposition ruling party.

Politics

Hardship: PDP Governors seek review of governance policies

Published

9 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has sought a review of the economic policies of the Federal Government, to ameliorate the current economic hardship in the country.

This was part of its 8-point communique issued at the end of its deliberations during its forum, held on Saturday in Jos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau hosted the governors with party executives and other stakeholders in attendance.

Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the Forum and governor of Bauchi State, who read out the points, empathised with the masses over the current economic crunch.

Mr Mohammed called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, find ways of cushioning the effects of its policies or have a review.

“The forum expresses empathy for Nigerians suffering from economic difficulties and calls for a review of Federal Government’s policies to improve citizens’ welfare,” he said.

Similarly, the party addressed issues confronting its unity and called for more collaboration among members.

“The forum has emphasised the need for unity within the party, addressing concerns about divisions among its members.

“It expresses a commitment to maintaining the party as a trusted platform for democratic governance.

“The forum’s discussions reflect a strong commitment to party unity and addressing internal divisions while also focusing on the broader socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians.

“The forum aims to position the PDP as a proactive and responsive political entity in Nigeria’s democratic landscape.

“The party is also making a clear call for action regarding electoral integrity and governance, emphasising the need for reforms to ensure fair representation and accountability

“The party acknowledged recent tragedies such as the demise of the First Lady of Akwai-Ibom, and also expressed gratitude for local hospitality reinforcing the party’s connection to the electorate.