Akwa Ibom dispute won’t derail PDP national convention

…says president unsocial retains authorization to summon meetings

…warns against dual loyalty

…flays Tinubu’s Independence day speech

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned its members against divided loyalty, stressing that its constitution forbids dual enactment rank and unauthorised actions susceptible of undermining interior cohesion.

The enactment besides reaffirmed that its nationalist normal volition clasp connected 15–16 November 2025 arsenic scheduled, dismissing speculation of interior conflict.

The informing came amid caller hostility successful Akwa Ibom, wherever conflicting statements from PDP leaders deepened the enactment implicit the dissolution of the authorities chapter.

While the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, announced the removal of the State Working Committee (SWC) and the assignment of a caretaker squad led by Igwat Umoren, the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, countered with a missive declaring the determination ‘null and void,’ insisting the National Working Committee (NWC) had ne'er approved specified action.

The ousted authorities chairman, Aniekan Akpan, besides rejected the dissolution, pledging loyalty to Governor Umo Eno, who has defected to the APC, further complicating the opposition’s presumption successful the state.

Speaking astatine an interactive league with journalists successful Abuja connected Thursday, Ologunagba stressed that the enactment remains agreed and afloat prepared for its convention.

“Our constitution does not let anyone to beryllium to 2 parties astatine once, and we volition not tolerate actions that undermine unity.

“What immoderate spot arsenic struggle is, successful fact, ideology successful action. The nationalist president provides wide enactment and tin summon meetings, portion the nationalist caput carries retired administrative duties. The caput cannot unilaterally telephone meetings oregon merchandise statements without approval,” helium said.

To clarify the hierarchy, Ologunagba cited Section 35 of the PDP Constitution (2017 arsenic amended), which outlines the functions of the National Chairman.

According to the provision: “There shall beryllium a National Chairman who shall beryllium the main enforcement of the Party and his functions shall be:

“35 (1) (a) summon and preside implicit the meetings of the National Convention, the National Executive Committee, the National Caucus and the National Working Committee of the Party;

“35 (1) (d) delegate circumstantial functions to immoderate subordinate oregon serviceman of the Party.”

On the Akwa Ibom crisis, the PDP insisted its decisions stand, informing members against promoting parallel narratives.

“The gathering that produced the party’s presumption was decently convened, with records and videos to beryllium it. Anyone claiming different is misleading the public,” Ologunagba added.

Turning to the November convention, helium assured members and Nigerians that preparations stay connected track.

“Every section is involved, our leaders crossed the state are moving together, and preparations are connected course. There is nary menace to the process. Nigerians tin remainder assured that connected 15–16 November 2025, the normal volition instrumentality spot arsenic scheduled,” helium stated.

The PDP spokesperson besides utilized the level to criticise President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address, which helium described arsenic ‘uninspiring and disappointing.’

“He claimed that the system is performing well, but Nigerians are asking: which country has the system truly turned?

“Is it the country of insecurity, wherever unit has crippled farming and production? The country of rising costs, wherever parents cannot wage schoolhouse fees? Or the country wherever families unrecorded successful fearfulness of kidnappers and bandits?” Ologunagba asked.

He cited insecurity arsenic a large concern, referencing the caller sidesplitting of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a lawyer and writer successful Abuja, arsenic grounds of the dangers citizens face.

“Independence should mean state from fear, but Nigerians bash not consciousness free,” helium added.

The PDP further accused the APC-led authorities of worsening the system and plunging Nigeria into unsustainable debt.

Ologunagba recalled that nether past PDP administrations, debts were cleared and unemployment remained low.

“We perceive of trillions saved, but besides of trillions borrowed. What projects person these funds been tied to? Where is the transparency? Without accountability, these so-called...