Damagum Denounces Outcome of NPS Interaction with the Media

The Acting National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has denied outcome of the media interactive session held by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba pertaining the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) advisory on the party’s planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for this month.

Last week, INEC had faulted a letter to the Commission, signed by the acting national chairman of PDP Damagum, informing it of the party’s decision to hold the NEC meeting on June 30.The electoral body had faulted the party chairman’s letter on the grounds that it was not co-signed by the PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.

But Ologunagba, at a media briefing on Sunday, dismissed INEC’s objection to the planned NEC meeting, insisting that the party would go ahead with the meeting in spite of INEC’s objection. The NPS condemned INEC accusing it of undue interference with the internal affairs of the PDP. However the ag. Chairman in a letter on Monday evening, denounced Ologunagba’s comments, saying they were his personal opinion and did not represent the party’s views on the matter.

A copy of the chairman’s letter, obtained by The Whistler, reads, “My attention, as the Ag. National Chairman of the People’s 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).

ALHAJI DAMAGUN however, reaffirmed the party’s commitment towards conducting its 100th NEC meeting in accordance with constitutional provisions and democratic norms adding that his party, will do so through a consensus and proper coordination. Meanwhile, INEC has scheduled a meeting with PDP authorities to iron things out before the scheduled national Executive Council meeting of the opposition party.