PDP Infighting Escalates As NWC Splits Over Suspensions

The rift within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a twist yesterday as its national working committee split with camps loyal to the national chairman, Illiya Damagum and national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, issuing counter-suspensions against each other.

This is not the first time the party’s national working committee was splitting over a crisis of confidence within its ranks.

The NWC had split in October 2024 and in January 2025, over the battle for the control of Rivers State PDP.

But yesterday’s split follows the tussle over the control of the party vis-à-vis the conduct of the November 15 national convention.

The PDP, led by Damagum, had earlier yesterday suspended the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, for one month over anti-party activities in light of their role in thwarting the convention.

The party leadership also suspended deputy legal adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and national organising secretary, Umaru Bature.

They were all referred to the national disciplinary committee of the party. The committee is headed by former interior minister, High Chief Tom Ikimi.

The PDP national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said this after an emergency NWC meeting held on Saturday at the party’s office, Legacy House, located in Maitama, Abuja.

The meeting followed Friday’s Court judgement which stopped the party’s national elective convention scheduled to be held on the 15 of November.

The Federal High Court in Abuja issued an interim order restraining the PDP from proceeding with its planned convention in Ibadan until further notice.

Presiding over the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the convention must be suspended until the party aligns its actions with the provisions of its constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act 2022.

The case was filed by three aggrieved PDP members, Austin Nwachukwu, the Imo State PDP Chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, the Abia State PDP Chairman; and Turnah Alabh George, the PDP Secretary for the South-South zone, who asked the court to halt the convention because the party  contravened both the Electoral Act and the party’s internal rules.

According to them, the PDP failed to conduct valid congresses in 14 states before issuing the notice for the convention.

In the buildup to the court ruling, Anyanwu had alleged that his signature was forged on the party’s notice  letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of this month’s National Convention.

Anyanwu’s claim was however dismissed by the national leadership of the party, including the Board of Trustees (BoT). They stated that Anyanwu signed the letters in their presence.

Recall that in February this year, the PDP National Disciplinary Committee summoned Anyanwu, and former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, to appear before it over petitions accusing them of anti-party activities.

Ortom and Anyanwu are known allies of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, who leads an influential bloc in the former ruling party.

However, Ologunagba at the press briefing said,He said, “The NWC considered these and other actions in line with the constitution of the party and came to the following decisions: The National Legal Adviser, Kamal Ajibade (SAN), is suspended for 30 days and is referred to the National Disciplinary Committee of the party. The Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha is also suspended for 30 days in line with the constitution and referred to the Disciplinary Committee as may be necessary. During the period of suspension, they cease to function in the capacity of their respective offices.

“The National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature, is suspended for a period of one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee. The National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, is suspended for one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee. In the case of the National Secretary, pursuant to Section 36(2) of the Constitution as amended in 2017, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Arc. Setonji Koshoedo, shall act as National Secretary.

“In the case of the Legal Adviser and Deputy Legal Adviser, the Director of Legal Services has been empowered and directed to oversee the department during the period of suspension.”

Noting that the emergency meeting was pursuant to the provision of Section 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), he said “The NWC has reviewed the party’s activities, especially in the recent past, and some decisions were taken. You will recall that on August 8, 2025, the party issued a reprimand to members over anti-party activities, and from then till now, the party reviewed the activities of some members working against the party, and the NWC reached the following decisions today.”

Citing Section 58 of the party’s constitution, the party spokesman, listed the anti-party activities of the suspended members to include, breach of party manifesto, saying or doing anything that brings disrepute, hatred or discontent to the party, disobeying or neglecting to carry out lawful directive by the party leadership of a party organ, engaging in any conduct likely to cause disaffection among members of the party or likely to disrupt the official and lawful conduct of the party.

But in a counter move, Anyanwu, who enjoys the backing of the Wike-led group, announced a 30 days suspension of Damagum, and five other members of the National Working Committee and their referral to the disciplinary committee.

Besides Damagum, whom he accused Damagum of financial misconduct, Anyanwu listed  Ologunagba; the Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro; National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade; and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo as suspended.

Anyanwu told newsmen in Abuja on Saturday that the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, is now the Acting National Chairman.

Stressing that he summoned an emergency PDP meeting following the court judgement, the national secretary dismissed the suspension announced by the Damagum group.

He said, “Unfortunately, some people may say that the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary who has the responsibility of monitoring everything and the National Legal Adviser, who is responsible for all legal issues, were purportedly suspended.

“On this note, we decided to suspend the National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, for incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgment. He has been suspended for one month and should face the Disciplinary Committee.

“Secondly, we also suspended the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for issuing statements without the party’s approval, and the Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, has also been suspended.

“The National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, who has been involved in alleged financial misconduct, has also been suspended. The National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, have also been suspended for 30 days. All of them will be sent to the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled.

“Therefore, we are announcing the National Vice Chairman (North Central) to serve as the Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman.”

He commended the judiciary over the judgment of yesterday, which is a victory for entire PDP members all over.

He said “Nobody can claim victory of the judgment of the court. It is a judgment against impunity, against illegality, we promote unity and peace and cohesion of the party.”

He added that the party did not overlook the activities of some members of NWC, who have already decided to cause disaffection in the party and has made most of the party leaders and governors leave the party in droves.