Crisis in PDP as Anyanwu Takes on Ologunagba Over Akwa Ibom Exco Dissolution

A fresh wave of crisis has hit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following conflicting statements from two top national officers over the status of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Committee. The controversy began after the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Tuesday announced the dissolution of the state’s Working Committee and the appointment of a 31-member caretaker team led by Barrister Igwat Umoren. According to the statement, the decision was reached by the National Working Committee (NWC) in line with provisions of the PDP constitution, with the new committee expected to serve for three months pending fresh congresses. However, less than 24 hours later, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, countered the announcement in a strongly worded letter addressed to Akwa Ibom State Chairman, Aniekan Akpan. Anyanwu declared the press release “null and void and of no effect,” insisting that the NWC did not meet to take such a decision. He further directed that the current state executive remain in office and continue to carry out its duties. The conflicting positions have sparked confusion within the Akwa Ibom chapter of the PDP, with Akpan describing the purported dissolution as unconstitutional and politically motivated. He maintained that the executive was duly elected for a four-year tenure and would not be forced out by what he termed an illegal move. The crisis took another turn on Thursday when security operatives were deployed to the PDP secretariat in Uyo to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order. Party members loyal to Akpan condemned the caretaker committee list, alleging that some of the names published had no knowledge of their inclusion. Analysts say the clash between Ologunagba and Anyanwu exposes widening cracks in the PDP’s national leadership and could complicate the party’s preparations for its national convention in November. The development also comes at a sensitive time, as the PDP grapples with internal divisions, defections, and power struggles across several states. As the situation stands, the fate of the Akwa Ibom PDP exco remains uncertain, with rival directives from Abuja leaving the state chapter in disarray.