The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Saturday as a faction of its National Working Committee (NWC), reportedly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced the suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and several top officials.
At a press briefing in Abuja, the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, said the faction had appointed Mohammed Abdulrahman, the National Vice Chairman (North Central), to assume the role of Acting National Chairman.
Anyanwu accused Damagum of incompetence, financial mismanagement, and disobedience to court orders, stating that his suspension would last one month pending disciplinary review.
Other NWC members affected by the suspension include 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.
“The suspended officers will appear before the Disciplinary Committee to defend themselves against allegations of misconduct,” Anyanwu said, insisting that the move was necessary to restore order and credibility to the party’s leadership structure.
However, in a swift counteraction, the NWC loyal to Damagum announced the suspension of Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two others, accusing them of breaching party procedures and attempting to destabilize the PDP.
The tit-for-tat suspensions mark a new phase in the PDP’s internal power struggle, which has widened since the 2023 general elections.
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