Former governor candidate and chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, has said that the current situation in the party’s national structure is not a crisis but a power tussle, common to political parties all over the world from time immemorial.
He insisted that the disagreement between the Illiya Damagun group and the Debo Ologunagba group within the PDP’S National Working Committee (NWC) is a struggle.
Pearse, who is also the Convener, Reset Lagos PDP and Member, PDP National Presidential Campaign Council for the 2023 election, said this in his reaction while speaking with our correspondent, but quickly pointed out that the struggle could reach a crisis level “if, for example it creates a situation in which the NWC seizes to function,” which he said was not the case right now.
The PDP chieftain, who is also a Public Affairs Analyst, while noting that the word crisis is too often used by the Nigerian media to describe any conflict, said that right now, the NWC is fully operational, adding that the suspended National Publicity Secretary had been replaced by his deputy who he said would work in an acting capacity.
According to him, the same goes for the suspended National Legal Secretary, pointing out that the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Damagun and the National General Secretary were not under suspension, contrary to some reports in the media.
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This was just as he recalled that the party had, concerning whether or not Damagun should go or stay, “stated repeatedly that in line with the PDP Constitution, Damagun as Acting National Chairman will be replaced by a substantive National Chairman from the Zone of Dr. Iyorcha Ayu ,the last substantive National Chairman.”
Pearse said this could happen as early as 24th October, 2024 when the National Executive Committee (NEC), which he described as the party’s most powerful organ, is scheduled to meet.
He, however, assured that PDP as a seasoned political party would not allow the turbulence it was currently facing to lead to a shipwreck.
“And as for whether Damagun should go or stay , it should be remembered that the Party has stated repeatedly that in line with the PDP Constitution, Damagun as Acting National Chairman will be replaced by a substantive National Chairman from the Zone of Dr Ayu, the last substantive National Chairman.
“This could happen as early as 24th October 2024 when the National Executive Committee ( NEC), the Party’s most powerful organ is scheduled to meet,” he said.
“To borrow a metaphor from shipping ; the National Working Committee of the PDP is experiencing turbulence at sea.
” Like experienced sailors, the PDP as a seasoned political party will not allow the turbulence to lead to a shipwreck,” he assured.
