The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated dramatically, with a faction led by the suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, announcing the suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and five other top officials.
Anyanwu, who is reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, made the announcement during a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, deepening the turmoil within the main opposition party.
Speaking on behalf of his faction of the National Working Committee (NWC), Anyanwu accused Damagum of incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court rulings.
“We decided to suspend the National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, for incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgment. He has been suspended for one month and should face the Disciplinary Committee,” Anyanwu declared.
He also announced the suspension of several other senior officials for alleged indiscipline and financial infractions, including National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyenguikoro, National Youth Leader Sulaiman Kadade, and Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo.
According to Anyanwu, the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, will now serve as the new Acting National Chairman.
“Therefore, we are announcing the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, to serve as the Acting National Chairman,” he said.
The announcement comes barely hours after the official PDP NWC had, in a counter-move, suspended Anyanwu himself, alongside National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organising Secretary Umaru Bature, following a court order halting the party’s planned national convention.
That decision, communicated by Ologunagba, cited the officials for violating the party’s constitution and referred them to the disciplinary committee.
“The NWC, in line with the party’s constitution, came to the following conclusion: the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and National Organising Secretary have been suspended for one month and referred to the PDP Disciplinary Committee,” Ologunagba stated.
The PDP had earlier dismissed the Federal High Court ruling stopping its national convention, describing the decision as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”
In a statement on Friday, Ologunagba insisted that the party would proceed with its internal processes despite the legal setback.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is appalled by the judgment of the Federal High Court, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process,” he said.
The latest suspensions reflect a deepening leadership war between factions loyal to Wike and those aligned with Damagum — a battle that threatens to tear apart the PDP as it struggles to reposition itself ahead of future elections.