A fresh wave of internal conflict has rocked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu announced the suspension of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and several top party officials.
Those suspended include Debo Ologunagba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary; Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Chairman (South); Daniel Woyenguikoro, National Financial Secretary; Sulaiman Kadade, National Youth Leader; and Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary.
Anyanwu, a known ally of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, made the announcement on Saturday, naming Mohammed Abdulrahman, National Vice Chairman (North-Central), as Acting National Chairman. He added that the suspended members would appear before a disciplinary committee “to show cause why they should not be expelled.”
The move came hours after the Damagum-led NWC held an emergency meeting in Abuja, where it suspended Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (National Legal Adviser), Okechukwu Osuoha (Deputy Legal Adviser), and Umaru Bature (National Organising Secretary) over alleged anti-party activities.
Party spokesman Ologunagba, who announced the decision, said the suspensions were part of efforts to restore discipline within the party.
The escalating crisis comes as the PDP prepares for its national convention slated for November 15 and 16, which now faces uncertainty following a recent court ruling.
On Friday, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja halted the planned convention, ruling that the PDP had failed to conduct valid state congresses as required by the 1999 Constitution, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines, and the party’s own constitution.
The court barred INEC from recognising or publishing any outcome from the proposed convention until the PDP rectifies all procedural irregularities.
Tensions within the party have been mounting in recent weeks. During an earlier court session on October 14, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade and Damagum clashed over who held the authority to appoint lawyers to represent the PDP. The confusion prompted the judge to suspend proceedings and direct the warring factions to “put their house in order.”
Anyanwu recently alleged that his signature was forged on official documents sent to INEC regarding the planned convention — an accusation the NWC, Board of Trustees (BoT), and other party officials have all denied.
With factions exchanging suspensions and the court halting its convention, Nigeria’s main opposition party now faces one of its most serious leadership crises in recent years, raising questions about its readiness for the 2027 general elections.
Melissa Enoch
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