PDP crisis deepens as faction suspends acting national chairman Damagum, 5 others

The internal crisis plaguing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Saturday as a faction within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) announced the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, along with five other top officials.

The faction, believed to be loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, made the declaration during a press conference in Abuja. The briefing was led by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who announced the disciplinary action.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Anyanwu disclosed that the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, had been appointed as the Acting National Chairman.

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 in the day, however, the NWC loyal to Damagum had also announced the suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two other members — signaling the emergence of parallel factions within the party’s top hierarchy.

The renewed division underscores the worsening leadership tussle in the PDP, which has been grappling with internal discord since the 2023 general elections.