Faction led by National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu accuses Damagum of incompetence and financial misconduct; appoints North Central Vice Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting Chairman….
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has plunged into a deeper crisis as a fresh leadership tussle erupted within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). A faction reportedly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday announced the suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, along with five other top officials.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the PDP’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, who spoke on behalf of the factional NWC, declared that the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, would now serve as the Acting National Chairman.
Anyanwu said the decision followed allegations of incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgments leveled against Damagum.
According to him, “Some people may argue that the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary, responsible for oversigh and the National Legal Adviser, who handles all legal matters, were purportedly suspended. However, we decided to suspend the National Chairman, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, for incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgment. He is suspended for one month and is to appear before the Disciplinary Committee.”
The faction also announced the suspension of several other top officials, including 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 alleged that Ologunagba had issued statements without party authorization, while Woyenguikoro was accused of financial misconduct. He added that all suspended officials were to face the party’s Disciplinary Committee within 30 days to show cause why they should not be expelled.
“In view of these developments,” he said, “we have appointed the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, to serve as Acting National Chairman.”
However, in a swift reaction earlier on Saturday, the NWC under Damagum’s leadership announced the suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two other members, escalating the internal crisis rocking the opposition party.
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