PDP Faction Suspends Acting National Chairman and National Secretary Over Alleged Anti-Party Activities

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated, with a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) announcing the suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, over allegations of anti-party activities.

This decision follows an earlier suspension of the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, and National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, by a faction aligned with Damagum, highlighting deepening divisions within the party.

In a statement issued on Friday, Ologunagba confirmed the suspension of both Damagum and Anyanwu, citing their actions in relation to the party’s legal battles. The NWC reviewed a complaint regarding the duo’s involvement in a letter to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/PH/307/2024. The letter opposed the PDP’s position on the case involving 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who vacated their seats after defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The statement read: “The NWC has thoroughly reviewed the complaints against Acting National Chairman Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, particularly their opposition to the party’s stance in the Court of Appeal. This behavior contravenes the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.”

The NWC condemned the actions as violations of the party’s constitution and invoked Sections 57, 58, and 59 to justify the suspension. Both officials have been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further investigation and are barred from participating in any NWC meetings, activities, or programs until the conclusion of the disciplinary process.