The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn as the faction led by Senator Samuel Anyanwu announced the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, along with five other members of the National Working Committee (NWC). Those affected include the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, among others.
The Anyanwu faction, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, made the announcement during a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday. Speaking on behalf of the group, Senator Anyanwu stated that all suspended officers would face the party’s disciplinary committee for further action.
According to him, “Some people may argue that the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary, and the National Legal Adviser were purportedly suspended. However, in light of ongoing misconduct, we have decided to suspend the National Chairman, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, for incompetence, financial mismanagement, and disobedience to court rulings.
“He has been suspended for one month and will appear before the Disciplinary Committee.
“Additionally, the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, has been suspended for issuing unauthorized statements, while the Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, has also been suspended. The National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, is being investigated for alleged financial irregularities and has been suspended as well.
“The National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, are also suspended for 30 days. All of them are to appear before the Disciplinary Committee to defend themselves or risk expulsion.
“Consequently, the National Vice Chairman (North-Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, will assume office as the Acting National Chairman.”
Earlier, the NWC under Damagum’s leadership had also announced the suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two other officials. PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who made that announcement, said the decision followed an emergency meeting of the NWC held in Abuja.
He noted that the suspended officials had been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee and would cease to function in their positions during the suspension period.
The escalating feud follows a recent judgment of the Federal High Court on Friday, which halted the party’s planned national convention — further deepening the rift within the PDP’s leadership.
