The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been thrown into a fresh round of turmoil as a faction within its National Working Committee (NWC), led by the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, announced the suspension of Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and five other key officials.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Senator Anyanwu, who spoke on behalf of the faction reportedly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declared the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the new Acting National Chairman.
According to Anyanwu, Damagum was suspended for alleged incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgments. He stated that the embattled chairman would face the party’s Disciplinary Committee within 30 days.
“Unfortunately, some people may say that the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary, and the National Legal Adviser were purportedly suspended. However, after due consultation, we decided to suspend the National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, for incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgment,” he said.
Others affected by the suspension include the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba; Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro; National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade; and Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo.
Anyanwu accused Ologunagba of issuing statements without due authorization, while Woyenguikoro was alleged to be involved in financial infractions. All six suspended officials, he said, are to appear before the party’s Disciplinary Committee to defend themselves.
He added, “All of them will be sent to the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled.”
The development marks a major escalation in the internal crisis rocking the opposition party, which has been battling divisions among leaders loyal to Wike and those aligned with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
