Politics
My appointment constitutional – PDP acting National Spokesman, Manga
The factional acting National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Ibrahim Manga, has said his appointment is constitutional.
Manga, at a news conference on Monday in Abuja, urged members of the public to disregard any misinformation on the ongoing leadership crisis within the party.
He said that the clarification had become necessary following certain notions and misinformation trending on the issue.
Manga said his appointment and that of Okechukwu Osuoha as acting national publicity secretary and acting National Legal Adviser respectively by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) was in line with the party’s constitution.
“This is in line with the PDP Constitution (2017 as Amended), following the “absence” of our substantive officers.
“It is made abundantly clear on Section 40(2) and 42(2).
“It is therefore distasteful for a leader(s) who ought to inform the uninformed but instead goes ahead to misinform on a national television and other media channels that our assumption of office in acting capacity is unconstitutional and does not exist,” he said.
Manga urged the party’s stakeholders not to allow their actions to be guided by ‘sentiments and personal interest’.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Damagum-led faction of the PDP NWC had, on Friday, suspended the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, for alleged disloyalty.
The faction also appointed their deputies, Manga and Osuoha as acting national publicity secretary and acting national legal adviser, respectively.
Manga expressed disappointment in the suspended colleagues’ approach to “a mere suspension” aimed at providing them with the opportunity to clear themselves of certain allegations against them.
He said that the two suspended NWC members, as senior lawyers who had participated in the suspension of some of their NWC colleagues in the past, ought to know how to preserve the sanctity of the party.
“Although we have detailed knowledge of the drummers, the masquerades should have been guided in their dance steps to avert stripping themselves naked on the stage.
“In the face of this reckless violation of a subsisting court order, we are hereby left with no option but to deploy the services of security agencies in the enforcement of the rule of law,” he said.
Manga commended the intervention of the Chairmen of the Board of Trustees, the PDP Governors’ Forum and other well-meaning leaders of the party on the need to seek amicable resolution soonest.
Responding to questions, Manga urged members of the public to ignore the appointment of Ahmed Yayari as acting National Chairman of the party by the other NWC faction.
He said that whatever action taken by the suspended two NWC members remained unconstitutional, adding that Damagum remained the acting national chairman of the party and in-charge of its national secretariat.
Manga said that after 68 hours, none of the suspended members nor their ‘purported acting national chairman’ had reported to the party’s national secretariat.
NAN reports that two factions of NWC had, on Friday, emerged within the country’s main opposition party, with each faction suspending key officers of the NWC.
A faction of the NWC had, in a statement by Ologunagba on Friday, suspended Damagum, and the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, for alleged anti-party activity.
The faction also announced Alhaji Yayari Mohammed as the new acting National Chairman of the party.
Meanwhile, another faction of the NWC loyal to Damagum also announced the suspension of the national legal adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, and Ologunagba for alleged disloyalty to the part.
The NWC faction, in a statement by the party’s National Director of Publicity, Pastor Chinwe Nnorom, directed Ologunagba and Ajibade to step aside.
The faction also constituted a committee to be chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the issues raised against the officers in compliance with the provisions of the party’s constitution.
The faction also directed the respective deputies to the two suspended national officers to assume office in acting capacity with effect from Friday, pending the conclusion of investigation by the committee. (NAN)
Cross River chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has objected to the recall of the suspended state Chairman of the party, Mr Venatius Ikem, by the National Working Committee (NWC).
This is contained in a statement issued by the state Secretary of the party, Mr Anthony Edako, on Monday in Calabar.
The party’s State Executive Committee (SEC) insisted that the chairman remained suspended until NWC and stakeholders met to decide otherwise.
According to the party, any purported decision to reinstate the suspended chairman without first having an expanded meeting to look into SEC’s complaint is null and void.
“We have been made aware of a letter circulating on social media, purportedly written by the national organising secretary reinstating the suspended state chairman.
“We wish to state categorically state that this letter is null and void, as it did not emanate from the proper channel having the authority to write such a letter,” the statement said.
The party said that only the national chairman and national secretary were authorised to write such a letter.
“So, the national oganising secretary overstepped his bounds, and his actions are consequently deemed ultra-vires,” it said.
The secretary recalled that on Nov. 20, 2024, NWC dismissed the suspension of the chairman of Cross River Chapter of PDP, Venatius Ikem, which was made on Nov. 15, 2024.
“The reason for the dismissal of the suspension was communicated to the SEC of the party.
“Consequently, the SEC of the party, on Nov. 22, 2024, suspended the state chairman based on the recommendation of the disciplinary committee of the state and communicated same to the national,” he said.
He further stated that SEC was invited by the NWC and after deliberations, it was unanimously agreed that NWC should convene a meeting with stakeholders from Cross River to determine Ikem’s fate.
“The meeting between the NWC and stakeholders from Cross River has not been convened yet.
“The meeting is a crucial step in ensuring that the decision-making process is transparent, fair and in line with our party’s constitution,” he said.
The secretary said that any purported decision taken to reinstate the suspended chairman without first having the expanded meeting to look into SEC’s complaint was, therefore, null and void.
He urged party members and stakeholders to disregard the said letter and continue to recognise the suspended chairman as such. (NAN)
The heightened security follows the controversial impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, 2025, over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of power.
A heavy security presence has been deployed at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, amidst escalating tensions ahead of a crucial court hearing on March 7.
The hearing is related to the ongoing leadership crisis within the Assembly. To maintain order, operatives from various security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Lagos State Task Force, have been strategically positioned around the complex.
They are conducting thorough checks on individuals and vehicles attempting to enter the premises.
The heightened security follows the controversial impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, 2025, over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of power.
In response, Obasa filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of his removal, with the Lagos State High Court scheduling a hearing for March 7.
The leadership tussle has led to a tense atmosphere within the Assembly.
On Monday, an emergency plenary session was convened amid speculations that current Speaker Mojisola Meranda might resign to align with the party’s zoning arrangement.
Security personnel cordoned off the premises, thoroughly searching staff and visitors before granting entry.
Following reports that journalists were denied entry into the premises of the State House of Assembly, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin refuted the claim.
He said, “To forestall breakdown of law and order, CP Olohundare Jimoh ordered the proactive deployment of human and operational resources to the House of Assembly. This is also to ensure water-tight security and prevent miscreants and thugs from causing mayhem.
“For clarification, entry is allowed into the Assembly complex for journalists and every other person with genuine business to carry out there.
“Furthermore, part of the measures employed is diversion of vehicular traffic around the Assembly complex. This is necessary to ensure firm grip and control over the security architecture.
“For emphasis, there is no restriction of movement into the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the diversion of traffic was proactively emplaced to forestall breakdown of law and order in the Assembly and its environs.”
The situation has also impacted Assembly operations, with civil servants directed to work remotely until further notice due to the ongoing leadership dispute.
The Lagos House of Assembly has been embroiled in a leadership crisis following the removal of Speaker Obasa.
The crisis stems from internal power struggles within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and growing dissatisfaction among lawmakers regarding Obasa’s leadership style and alleged financial mismanagement.
Tensions escalated when Obasa was ousted, leading to the emergence of a new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, by the majority of the lawmakers.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn last week when Obasa, refusing to accept his removal, stormed the Assembly complex with a team of security operatives. His presence, accompanied by heavy security, was seen as an attempt to reclaim his position and assert control over the legislature.
This development has deepened the crisis, with divisions among lawmakers and interventions from key political figures, including President Bola Tinubu, who is reportedly pushing for Obasa’s reinstatement despite resistance from some legislators.
The directive was issued during a plenary session in Port Harcourt on Monday by lawmakers loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, following a recent Supreme Court judgment.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a 48-hour deadline for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget.
The directive was issued during a plenary session in Port Harcourt on Monday by lawmakers loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, following a recent Supreme Court judgment.
Elanzanews previously reported that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had pledged to implement the Supreme Court verdict that nullified the local government elections conducted by the state in October 2024.
However, he noted that his administration disagreed with the court’s ruling delivered on Friday. He made this position known in a statewide broadcast on Sunday.