A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) has suspended the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu. This move follows a series of internal conflicts within the party’s leadership.
The suspension, announced on Friday by National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, comes in response to what the faction described as violations of the PDP constitution. Ologunagba cited their handling of an appeal involving 27 former Rivers State House of Assembly members who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the main issue. He stated that Damagum and Anyanwu acted against the party’s position on the matter.
This internal clash follows the earlier suspension of Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, who had called for strict adherence to the party’s constitution. A committee led by Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja has been set up to investigate the allegations.
In a counteraction, Ologunagba announced the suspension of Damagum and Anyanwu, further intensifying the party’s internal discord.
The NWC, in a statement, expressed its disapproval: “The NWC condemned this anti-party activity of the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary, which is in gross violation of the PDP Constitution.” Both Damagum and Anyanwu have been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee, pending an investigation.
The ongoing factional disputes within the PDP raise questions about the party’s stability ahead of future elections.
