Ambassador Iliya Damagum, the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has clarified his reasons for signing the contentious letter to the Appeal Court regarding the case of the 27 embattled members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which was contrary to the stance of the party’s National Legal Adviser, Mr. Ajibade, SAN.
Damagum stated that there is a precedent for his action, highlighting that both he and the party’s national secretary are authorized signatories of the PDP. He emphasized that the decision was made in consultation with his team members.
On Wednesday, he announced this during the inauguration of the party’s Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees, led by Chief Tom Ikimi and Prince Olagunsoye Onyinlola, respectively.
Recall that Kola Ologbondiyan, a former national publicity secretary of the PDP, criticized Damagum and the party’s national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, for submitting a letter to the Appeals Court in Rivers State. They asserted that the party intended to proceed with an appeal regarding the contested status of the 27 Rivers State lawmakers, which contradicted the stance of the party’s legal adviser, Mr. Ajibade, SAN.
The former party spokesman claimed that the acting national chairman violated the party’s constitution by proceeding with that action without consulting the national legal adviser, who, according to Section 42 (1) of the party’s constitution, is authorized to appoint legal representation for the party.
Previously, federal lawmakers from the opposition had alleged that Damagum and Anyanwu were involved in a scheme to compromise the party’s interests in Rivers State.
The group headed by Representative Ikenga Ugochinyere stated that Damagun and Anyawu objected to the initiative of the PDP national legal adviser, which aimed to neutralize and prevent the dismissed 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, who switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the PDP, from threatening the interests of the PDP and potentially facilitating the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office.
Ugochinyere clarified that on July 8, 2024, the Rivers State High Court had issued an ex parte order that prohibited key state officials from engaging with the lawmakers who had defected.
Nevertheless, he claimed that Dr. J.Y. Musa, SAN, lodged an appeal against the order, notwithstanding the objections of the PDP’s national legal adviser.
He stated that the National Legal Adviser, who is constitutionally mandated to safeguard the interests of the PDP, had already initiated the withdrawal of the appeal on July 24, 2024, due to its potential detriment to the party. r>. “Ugochinyere stated, ‘In an unexpected development, on August 15, 2024, Damagum and Anyanwu submitted a letter to the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, distancing themselves from the withdrawal, thereby effectively challenging the authority of the Legal Adviser.'” r>. In his initial response to the crisis, Damagum stated, I would like to take this opportunity to address certain rumors circulating on social media. Upon my last verification, the signatories for this party are the chairman and the secretary.
The signing of the letter by the chairman and secretary has caused it to become a focal point of discussion, leading to various insinuations. I prefer not to engage with the other party, as it serves as a distraction. r>. It is distressing to observe individuals familiar with the operations of the NWC appearing on television to mislead viewers with inaccurate information. It is distressing. Extremely distressing.
There is a precedent for our actions. In the case involving Kashamu, both the chairman and secretary presented it to the Supreme Court. Similarly, a situation arose concerning Anambra. r>. Two problems emerged. The chairman and secretary collaborate as a team in all circumstances. The acting national chairman of the PDP stated, ‘I do not make decisions without consulting my members.’
