Metuh, Ologbondiyan Take Damagum to the Cleaners Over Comment on PDP Spokesperson

By Arthur Maduka

Former National Publicity Secretaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh and Kola Ologbondiyan, have launched scathing criticisms against the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, over his public disavowal of a statement issued by the current National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

The backlash follows Damagum’s recent remarks distancing the party from Ologunagba’s clarification on the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the PDP’s internal affairs. Ologunagba had asserted during a press briefing that INEC has no legal authority to cancel or interfere with the regular meetings of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) or National Working Committee (NWC), citing legal precedents and the PDP’s constitution.

In response, Damagum issued a statement describing Ologunagba’s comments as his personal opinion, labelling them premature and made without proper consultation. This move drew sharp reactions from both Metuh and Ologbondiyan, who viewed it as an affront to the party’s structure and an assault on internal cohesion.

Metuh, writing on his verified Facebook page, described Damagum’s action as a serious violation of the PDP’s constitution and a move that could bring the party into disrepute. “Since I left the Peoples Democratic Party over three years ago, I have refrained from commenting on partisan politics,” he wrote. “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 hope for the Nigerian people.”

He continued, “I just read that the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum, publicly denied the press session addressed by the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba. If this is not fake news, then it is a cardinal offence against the PDP constitution. Besides, how can the press and the public continue to believe future statements from the party’s spokesperson?”

Metuh, who served the PDP at the national level for 17 years, said his concern stemmed from a commitment to seeing Nigeria’s democracy strengthened through credible opposition. “We need the PDP and other parties to remain strong and act as credible opposition platforms to help deepen our democracy,” he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Kola Ologbondiyan also took to Facebook to criticise Damagum’s stance, describing it as “completely unacceptable” and “a major affront to the authority of NEC, the NWC, and the sensibility of all PDP members.” He accused Damagum of trying to undermine the consensus of the NEC, which had agreed to hold its milestone 100th meeting on June 30.

“Damagum came after Ologunagba for re-echoing the unanimous resolution of our NEC,” Ologbondiyan stated. “There are two cardinal offences in this action: first, he has attempted to override a NEC decision, and second, he has exposed the party to public ridicule.”

The controversy is the latest in a string of internal crises that have plagued the PDP since its defeat in the 2015 general elections. These challenges include leadership tussles, factional disputes, and unresolved congress issues, particularly the ongoing conflict over the National Secretary position between Sunday Udeh-Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who is reportedly backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

To stabilise the situation, the PDP had named Setonji Koshoedo as Acting National Secretary. However, a fact-finding panel chaired by Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu reported that INEC still recognises Anyanwu as the duly elected official. When the party notified INEC of its planned 100th NEC meeting, the commission rejected the notice, stating that it must be co-signed by both the National Chairman and National Secretary.

Ologunagba, in his briefing, clarified that INEC’s role is merely to receive notifications of conventions or elections and not to approve internal meetings. “INEC has no role in the regular meetings of the NWC or NEC. These are internal matters. The Supreme Court has affirmed this in several rulings,” he stated. “We will proceed with our meeting as scheduled, and should anything change, we will inform the public.”

Metuh and Ologbondiyan now warn that the actions of the Acting National Chairman risk weakening the credibility and unity of the PDP. Both called on party leaders to act swiftly to prevent further deterioration, urging a recommitment to democratic values and respect for institutional processes within the party.