The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has addressed reports of internal conflict, stating there is no crisis within the party but rather a “misconception of roles” regarding the duties of its National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
In a press briefing in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba clarified that Anyanwu’s role, as outlined in the party’s constitution, is strictly administrative and supportive, with no authority to summon meetings or act independently of National Chairman Umar Damagun.
Ologunagba described Anyanwu as the “chief administrative and accounting officer,” responsible for tasks such as managing party correspondence, ensuring office logistics like diesel supply and parking organization, and executing directives from the National Chairman. “The secretary cannot call a meeting or issue a press statement,” he emphasized, adding that Anyanwu’s duties include supervising daily operations, maintaining records, and ensuring the implementation of decisions from the National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Committee (NEC), or other party organs.
Drawing from his experience as a company secretary and legal advisor for a bank, Ologunagba explained, “The chairman or MD summons the meeting, and the secretary conveys it. The secretary ensures directives are carried out, not initiates them.”
Addressing alleged discord within the NWC, Ologunagba dismissed claims of a crisis, attributing tensions to misunderstandings of roles. “Our party is fine. There’s no issue, just a need for caution and responsibility in positions of authority,” he said.
The clarification comes amid speculation about conflicting letters within the party, which Ologunagba attributed to role misconceptions rather than substantive disputes.
