The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has plunged deeper into crisis as fresh divisions emerged within its leadership.
A faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced the suspension of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and five other members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday after a factional NWC meeting, the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, announced that Mohammed Abdulrahman, the National Vice Chairman (North Central), would serve as the Acting National Chairman.
“Unfortunately, some people may say that the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary, who has the responsibility of monitoring everything, and the National Legal Adviser, who is responsible for all legal issues, were purportedly suspended,” Anyanwu said.
“On this note, 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 added that several other top officials were also suspended.
“The National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, was suspended for issuing statements without the party’s approval. The Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, has also been suspended,” he said.
“The National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, was suspended over alleged financial misconduct, while the National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, have also been suspended for 30 days. All of them will appear before the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled.”
He concluded by declaring that Mohammed Abdulrahman will serve as Acting National Chairman during the suspension period.
Earlier on Saturday, the NWC under Damagum’s leadership had announced the suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two other officers over alleged anti-party activities.
The development signals a deepening leadership crisis within the opposition party, with rival factions issuing conflicting directives and suspensions within hours of each other.