Rivers crisis: PDP denies accepting court ruling, disowns Ologunagba’s claim

The crisis within the People’s Democratic Party persists, as the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, clarified that the National Working Committee has not yet convened to address the court ruling on the Rivers State Executives, contrary to claims made by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, expressed concerns over Ologunagba’s recent actions, describing them as motivated by personal interests.

The conflict between Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the PDP structure in Rivers State has led to ongoing tensions within the party.

Despite several failed reconciliation efforts, Wike’s faction emerged victorious in the Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses held on July 27, August 10, and August 31, 2024. Fubara’s allies boycotted these contests, citing a court order.

On January 13, 2025, the Rivers State High Court issued a restraining order preventing the executive committees led by Aaron Chukwuemeka, aligned with Wike, from functioning. The court also granted an injunction prohibiting these executives from serving as PDP officers in the state.

In response, Ologunagba issued a statement on Thursday claiming that the PDP had accepted the court ruling. He announced that the NWC recognised Hon. Nname Robinson Ewor’s group, aligned with Governor Fubara, as the legitimate State Executives.

However, in a new development, Abdullahi refuted Ologunagba’s statement, asserting that the NWC had neither met nor accepted the court’s judgment on the Rivers State Congresses.

Abdullahi stated, “In the manner that my colleague, Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, has been acting lately, it is becoming glaring that the party is uncomfortable with some of his recent dispositions.

“He appears to have been speaking from both sides of his mouth. Just yesterday, under the directive of the National Chairman, I issued a disclaimer regarding his statement that the NWC had met and accepted the judgment on Rivers State Congresses.

“The NWC did not accept the judgment recognising the Ewor-led executive. That is false. The NWC has not convened since September last year. This is verifiable. So, I wonder how he can claim the NWC met and adopted the verdict.”

Abdullahi further criticised Ologunagba for similar unauthorised statements regarding judgments in Imo and Ebonyi States, emphasising that the Publicity Secretary does not have the authority to speak for the NWC without prior approval.

He added, “A National Publicity Secretary does not possess the authority to act independently. He cannot speak on behalf of the NWC without clearance. His recent actions have demonstrated a lack of adherence to protocol, which is not expected of him as a lawyer.

“We are witnessing a situation where personal sentiment has clouded his reasoning and is taking a toll on his job. The NWC must deliberate and the Chairman must give directives before any statements are made.”

Efforts by PUNCH Online correspondents to contact Ologunagba for his response were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls or reply to text messages.