Politics
PDP split widens as Wike’s loyalists suspends Party Chairman, Damagum, others
The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worsened on Saturday after the National Working Committee (NWC) suspended four top officials, prompting a retaliatory move by a faction led by National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, which announced the suspension of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and other key officers.
The NWC, after an emergency meeting in Abuja, approved a one-month suspension for Senator Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), Kamaldeen Ajibade (National Legal Adviser), and Okechukwu Osuoha (Deputy National Legal Adviser).
The decision, according to the party, was made under Sections 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, the party said the affected officers were suspended for misconduct and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee.
It further directed that Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo act as National Secretary, while the National Director of Legal Services oversees the legal department.
However, the crisis escalated shortly after when a faction believed to have the backing of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, held a counter-press briefing in Abuja.
Senator Anyanwu, addressing journalists, announced the suspension of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and five other members of the NWC, accusing them of incompetence, financial mismanagement, and disobedience to court rulings.
Anyanwu, who hailed the court judgment that halted the party’s planned November 15 national convention, described it as a victory against impunity and a step toward restoring discipline in the PDP.
He claimed that Damagum’s continued recognition of an expelled South-East Zonal Chairman invalidated recent NWC meetings.
He also announced the suspension of National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba for issuing unauthorized press statements, Deputy National Chairman (South) Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja for allegedly supporting anti-party activities, National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyengikuro for alleged diversion of funds, National Youth Leader Mohammed Kadende for neglecting youth affairs, and Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo for “unauthorized assumption of office.”
Anyanwu declared that all suspended officials had been referred to the party’s disciplinary committee, adding that the National Vice-Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, would serve as Acting National Chairman, while Director of Publicity Chinwe Nnorom would handle communication matters temporarily.
Despite the sweeping suspensions, Anyanwu maintained that the PDP remained strong and united, insisting that the actions taken were necessary to preserve the party’s integrity.
Read Also:BREAKING: PDP suspends Samuel Anyanwu, Three Other Top NWC Members
The development signals a new phase in the PDP’s internal power struggle, deepening uncertainty over its leadership structure and stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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