As tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party escalate, former National Publicity Secretaries, Olisa Metuh and Kola Ologbondiyan, have criticised the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, over his comments directed at the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

In a statement shared via his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, Metuh described Damagum’s remarks as damaging to the party’s image and a serious violation of the PDP constitution.

Similarly, Ologbondiyan, also posting on Facebook, condemned Damagum’s action as unacceptable and a direct challenge to the authority of both the National Executive Committee and the National Working Committee, as well as an insult to the sensibilities of party members.

Once Nigeria’s dominant political party, the PDP has continued to grapple with internal crises since its defeat in 2015, which has been marked by leadership wrangling, defections, and unresolved congress disputes across key zones.

At the center of current tensions is the ongoing battle for the National Secretary position between Sunday Udeh-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the latter enjoying the support of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. This rivalry has deepened internal divisions and led to repeated postponements of the party’s NEC meetings.

In an effort to stabilise the situation, the PDP appointed Setonji Koshoedo as Acting National Secretary. However, a fact-finding panel led by Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission still recognises Senator Anyanwu as the duly elected secretary.

Following this, the PDP’s 99th NEC session scheduled its landmark 100th meeting for June 30, and on May 30, Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum sent a formal notice to INEC. INEC rejected the letter, insisting that such communication must be jointly signed by both the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, urging the PDP to comply with procedural rules.

In response, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, clarified at a Sunday press briefing that under Nigerian law and the PDP constitution, INEC’s role is merely to receive notifications of conventions, congresses, or primaries especially those involving elections of party officers or candidates and not to approve or dictate internal party processes.

He stated, “INEC has no role in the regular meetings of the NWC or NEC. These are internal party matters, as clearly established by the Supreme Court in numerous rulings. INEC cannot cancel our meetings. It is the party’s prerogative to decide such matters. INEC has no authority to do so. We are planning to hold our meeting as scheduled,  if anything changes, we will brief you.”

In a statement released on Monday, Damagum distanced the party from Ologunagba’s remarks about INEC, characterising them as his personal views, regrettable, premature, and made without proper consultation.

Metuh, in his reaction, described Damagum’s comments about Ologunagba as a serious violation of the party’s constitution.

He stated, “Since I left the Peoples Democratic Party over three years ago, I have refrained from commenting and/or discussing partisan politics. However, my heart bleeds when I read about the present happenings in this party formed and birthed, largely by the famed G34, as a bastion of democracy and of hope for the Nigerian people.

“I just read that the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum publicly denied the press interactive session addressed by the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba. I do hope this is fake news at work. Otherwise, this is an act capable of bringing the party into great disrepute, and this is a cardinal offence against the party’s constitution.

“Besides, how can the press and the public continue to believe future statements from the party’s National Publicity Secretary.

“Yes, it remains my concern because this is a party that I gave the best part of my youth and middle age. I served the party at the national level from the age of 33 for an uninterrupted 17 years as an elected member of the National Executive Committee.

“We need the PDP and other parties to remain strong and act as credible opposition platforms to help strengthen and deepen our democracy. Nigeria deserves a democracy where policies and programmes will be debated openly and options and alternatives proffered by all interests.”

Also responding, former Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan expressed disappointment over Damagum’s attack on Ologunagba.

He called on PDP leaders to act swiftly to halt what he described as an attempt by the Acting National Chairman to undermine the party’s legacy.

Ologbondiyan stated, “I read the statement credited to the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Ilyasu Damagum, dismissing the media interface of our National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, with utter disappointment.

“Damagum came after Ologunagba for re-echoing the unanimous resolution of our National Executive Committee (NEC), that the next meeting (100th) would be held on June 30th.

“This latest action by Damagum is completely unacceptable and a major affront to the authority of NEC, the NWC, and the sensibility of all PDP members.

“There are two cardinal offences against the spirit of the PDP from this latest action of Amb. Damagum; he has sought to torpedo a decision of NEC and secondly brought our party to public odium.

“The leaders of the PDP must take action immediately to stem this attempt by Amb. Damagum to destroy the legacy party, the PDP.”