In a dramatic escalation of the leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has announced the suspension of National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and several other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) for alleged anti-party activities.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Anyanwu said the decision followed an emergency session of the National Legal and Disciplinary Committee (NLDCA), which he convened in line with the PDP constitution.
He stated that as National Secretary, he holds the exclusive constitutional mandate to summon meetings of the NWC, declaring that any meeting not convened by him is “null and void.”
“As National Secretary of the party, who has the constitutional mandate to summon meetings of the NWC, any other meeting not convened by me is null and void,” he said.
Anyanwu said the committee reviewed a recent court judgment and the conduct of some NWC members, after which it resolved to suspend Damagum for one month over allegations of incompetence, misappropriation of party funds, and disobedience of court rulings.
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He accused the chairman of ignoring legal advice and retaining an expelled officer within the NWC, rendering recent meetings and decisions invalid.
Those also suspended for 30 days include Deputy National Chairman (South) Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, National Publicity Secretary Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Financial Secretary, National Youth Leader Muhammad Kadede, and Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo.
Anyanwu announced the appointment of the North Central National Vice Chairman as Acting National Chairman and the party’s Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, as Acting National Publicity Secretary.
He said the suspended officials have been referred to the disciplinary committee for further investigation and possible expulsion over alleged financial misconduct, unauthorised correspondences, and failure to mobilise party structures effectively.
The National Secretary commended the judiciary for its recent ruling, describing it as a “victory for PDP members nationwide,” but faulted certain NWC members for actions that “caused disaffection and contributed to the exit of governors and stakeholders from the party.”
“If our governors and leaders are leaving the party, it shows weakness in leadership. That is why we have to act now to save the PDP,” he said.
Anyanwu dismissed claims that his actions were driven by external forces, insisting that he was acting strictly within the provisions of Section 36(1)(g-h) of the PDP constitution, which empowers the National Secretary to issue notices for NWC meetings.
The development marks a new twist in the deepening leadership tussle within the opposition PDP, coming just a day after a court ruling halted preparations for the party’s planned national convention.
Political observers say the latest round of suspensions could further widen divisions within the party and complicate efforts to restore internal cohesion ahead of upcoming electoral activities.
