A fresh wave of crisis has erupted in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as a faction of the National Working Committee loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday announced the suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and several other top national officers.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu, himself recently suspended by the Damagum-led leadership, announced the move at a press briefing in Abuja, accusing the embattled chairman of incompetence, financial misconduct and disobedience to court orders.
Anyanwu, who addressed journalists in the company of factional NWC members, declared that the committee had appointed the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as Acting National Chairman pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings.
“For incompetence, financial misconduct and disregard for court judgement, the National Chairman of our party, Ambassador Umar Damagum, is hereby suspended for one month and directed to appear before the Disciplinary Committee,” Anyanwu said.
He added that other key officers were also sanctioned, including National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba; Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro; National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo.
According to him, those affected will face the party’s disciplinary panel to “show cause why they should not be expelled.”
The faction accused Ologunagba of issuing statements without the approval of the party’s leadership, while others were said to be facing allegations ranging from misconduct to financial infractions.
Saturday’s development is the latest escalation in the PDP’s leadership tussle, coming just hours after the Damagum-led NWC announced the suspension of Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two others.
The turmoil further deepens factions within the opposition party, which has battled internal strife since the 2023 general elections and the emergence of power blocs loyal to former Rivers governor, Wike; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; and other party heavyweights.
The duelling suspension pronouncements have triggered fears of a parallel leadership structure, raising fresh concerns for the future of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Party insiders said that more drastic power moves may unfold in coming days unless the PDP Board of Trustees steps in urgently to avert a full-blown leadership collapse.
As the two rival camps lock horns, political observers say the battle for the soul of Africa’s largest opposition party is far from over.
With key national officers now suspended by opposing factions, the party risks slipping into deeper crisis unless reconciliation moves are initiated.
Efforts to reach the Damagum camp for reaction were ongoing at press time.
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