The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated as the Samuel Anyanwu faction announced the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and five other members of the National Working Committee (NWC).Also suspended are the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, among others.
Anyanwu faction, who are loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, made the announcement while briefing journalists in Abuja on Saturday.Speaking on behalf of the faction, Senator Anyanwu said all the suspended officers will be referred to the party’s disciplinary committee for further action.
He said, “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.“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.
“Secondly, we also suspended the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for issuing statements without the party’s approval, and the Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, has also been suspended.“The National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, who has been involved in alleged financial misconduct, has also been suspended.
“The National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, have also been suspended for 30 days. All of them will be sent to the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled.
“Therefore, we are announcing the National Vice Chairman (North-Central) to serve as the Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman.”
Earlier, the NWC under Damagum’s leadership had announced the suspension of Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, and two other members.PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who made the announcement, said that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the national working committee, which was held in Abuja.
He noted that the suspended party officials have been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee.
He said that during this period of suspension, they cease to function in their respective capacities.
The suspension comes on the heels of the judgement of the Federal High Court on Friday, which stopped the party’s planned national convention.How do you think the PDP can settle its internal crisis ahead of the 2027 election? Let's know your thoughts in the comment section.