Former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has called for strict adherence to the party’s constitutional succession arrangement if it hopes to regain its strength and relevance.
Speaking to North Central youths in Abuja, Ologbondiyan made it clear that any attempt to fix the PDP without following the party’s established succession plan would be a waste of time.
“Anything outside of this demand will end up an exercise in futility,” he declared, underlining the importance of following the guidelines set out in Section 47(6) of the PDP Constitution (2017 Amendment).
Ologbondiyan’s statement comes amid growing tension within the PDP, particularly around the party’s leadership structure and the role of its acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Illiya Damagum. The former party spokesperson emphasized that for the PDP to be truly fixed, the internal order as laid down in the party’s constitution must be respected.
“We must tell those who have undertaken to either kill the PDP or render it comatose that the party is not a one-man organisation,” Ologbondiyan said. “The founders named it the Peoples Democratic Party. It is owned by the people of Nigeria and not any individual, no matter how well placed in society.”
Ologbondiyan’s comments reflect his deep concern about the direction of the PDP under Damagum’s leadership. He has accused Damagum and his supporters of undermining the party’s future by disregarding the constitutional succession process. According to Ologbondiyan, this failure to address the party’s leadership crisis is detrimental not only to the PDP but to the entire nation.
“The party’s constitution must be respected,” Ologbondiyan asserted, warning that continuing down the path of ignoring the constitution would only lead to further divisions and setbacks for the PDP.
The PDP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since the resignation of its former national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu. Since then, there have been multiple disagreements and delays in electing a permanent national chairman. The party’s leadership has faced criticism for its inability to resolve this crisis, and the proposed National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for August has been postponed several times.
Ologbondiyan pointed out that the NEC, in its 98th meeting, had agreed to address the demand from the North Central zone for the national chairmanship position at the 99th meeting. However, this meeting has yet to take place, with multiple postponements blamed on the National Working Committee (NWC). Ologbondiyan described this as a “huge disrespect” to the party’s constitutional order.
“The continued postponements of the NEC meetings show a flagrant disregard for the party’s constitutional framework,” Ologbondiyan stated. “This is an aberration and is doing more harm than good to the party.”
The former PDP spokesman also criticized the party’s leadership for not respecting the rights of the North Central zone, which he argued has been unjustly denied the opportunity to occupy the party’s top leadership position. He urged the zone to remain firm in its demand for the national chairmanship role.
“The North Central must not relent in its rightful demand,” Ologbondiyan stressed. “Anything short of this would amount to brushing aside their rights in the PDP.”
In his address, Ologbondiyan further called on the PDP stakeholders to charge Damagum to step down from his current position as acting national chairman and revert to his elected role as Deputy National Chairman (North). He warned that failure to do so would only continue to undermine the PDP’s chances of recovery and success.
“It is trite wisdom that as long as Damagum is being encouraged to continue to sit on the position of North Central, the concept of fixing the PDP will be mere lip service that can cause the party more harm,” he said.
Ologbondiyan’s statements reflect the growing frustrations within the PDP, especially from those who feel that the party’s future is being jeopardized by internal divisions and leadership struggles. The North Central zone, in particular, has been vocal in its demand for the national chairmanship position, which it believes is rightfully theirs based on the party’s zoning arrangement.
The PDP’s leadership crisis has become a major issue for the party, especially as it prepares for future elections. With the 2023 general elections still fresh in the minds of many Nigerians, the party’s ability to present a united front and resolve its internal issues will be crucial in determining its success or failure in upcoming polls.
The failure to resolve the leadership dispute could further weaken the PDP’s position as a viable opposition party, potentially leaving the political field to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
As the November 28 NEC meeting approaches, all eyes will be on the PDP’s leadership to see whether they will adhere to the constitutional arrangements and put the party on a path to recovery.
