The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has named its National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as Acting National Chairman following the suspension of Umar Damagum and five other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) by a faction led by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Anyanwu, who briefed newsmen in Abuja on Saturday, said the decision was taken by the factional NWC amid what he described as growing incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court rulings within the party’s leadership.
He explained that Damagum was suspended for one month and directed to face the party’s Disciplinary Committee over alleged financial and administrative lapses.
According to him, “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.”
Other NWC members affected by the suspension include the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for issuing unauthorized statements; the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; the National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, over alleged financial irregularities; the National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade; and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo.
Anyanwu said all six suspended officers would appear before the Disciplinary Committee to defend themselves against the allegations and “show cause why they should not be expelled from the party.”
The development marks a new phase in the escalating internal crisis within the PDP, which has been sharply divided between factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other party leaders
