PDP Crisis Deepens: Court Restrains NEC, BoT from Suspending Damagum

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order restraining the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from suspending Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum. The ruling, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, followed a suit filed by Senator Umar El-Gash Maina, who challenged the party’s alleged plans to unlawfully oust Damagum. Maina, who claims to be the PDP chairman in Yobe State, accused certain stakeholders of attempting to remove Damagum in violation of the party’s constitution.

The internal crisis within the PDP has escalated, with factions of the party suspending several top officials over accusations of anti-party activities. This includes the recent suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu by a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC). The situation mirrors earlier suspensions of the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, and National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba. Despite these suspensions, the court upheld that Damagum should remain in his position until the party’s national convention, scheduled for December 2025.

Justice Lifu emphasized that, according to the PDP’s constitution, leadership positions must be determined at a national convention. He further clarified that any attempt to replace Damagum before the convention would breach the constitutional provisions, particularly regarding the rotation of leadership between the northern and southern regions. The court dismissed objections to the case, affirming that Maina had the standing to defend the constitution and protect regional interests.