PDP acting National Chairman, Alhaji Umar Damagum
The internal leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated, with a faction of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) announcing the suspension of National Chairman Umar Damagum and five other top officials for one month.
On Saturday, during an emergency meeting in Abuja, the faction, led by National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, confirmed that the suspensions were a response to alleged misconduct and disobedience to court rulings. Mohammed Abdulrahman, the National Vice-Chairman (North Central), was appointed as the acting National Chairman in place of Damagum.
The suspended officials include:
Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary
Daniel Woyenguikoro, National Financial Secretary
Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Vice-Chairman (South)
Sulaiman Kadade, National Youth Leader
Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary
This move comes just hours after the Damagum-led NWC announced the suspension of Anyanwu and three other officials for similar allegations of anti-party activities.
Anyanwu, speaking to reporters, refuted the actions of Damagum’s group, noting that he had called for an emergency meeting at his personal office in Wuye, but the opposing faction chose to convene at the party’s secretariat, Legacy House.
He expressed his confidence in the judiciary, praising a recent court ruling that he described as a victory for the party against “impunity and illegality.”
According to Anyanwu, the party could no longer ignore the negative impact of certain members’ actions, which he said had caused widespread disaffection and led to the mass exit of PDP leaders and governors.
He cited examples of ongoing party conflicts, including the case of a former National Vice-Chairman (South-East), whose expulsion had been upheld by a recent court decision, yet continued to influence party affairs.
Highlighting the reasons behind the suspensions, Anyanwu accused Damagum of incompetence, mismanagement of party funds, and defying court orders. Ologunagba was suspended for allegedly making decisions without proper authorization from the NWC, while Arapaja faced consequences for failing to advise the chairman on party matters. Woyenguikoro was suspended amid allegations of financial mismanagement during recent congresses.
Anyanwu also pointed to irregularities in the sale of congress forms, which were allegedly handled through accounts under Woyenguikoro’s control.
He further noted that Koshoedo’s unauthorized actions, such as signing official letters as National Secretary, had contributed to growing tensions within the party.
As part of the reshuffling, Anyanwu announced that Mrs. Chinwen Nnorom, the Director of Publicity, would take over the role of National Publicity Secretary until further notice.
Meanwhile, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose extended his congratulations to Abdulrahman, the new acting National Chairman, urging him to act swiftly to restore peace and unity within the party.
Fayose stressed the need for a new direction for the PDP, focusing on addressing past injustices, especially in states like Ekiti, and ensuring a valid national convention to elect a new NWC.
With tensions high and no clear resolution in sight, the PDP’s internal struggles seem far from over, with both factions gearing up for what could be a pivotal moment in the party’s future.
