The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Saturday as parallel factions emerged within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
A faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced the suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, alongside five other top officials.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, the suspended National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who spoke on behalf of the factional NWC, said the decision followed allegations of incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgements by Damagum.
He further announced the appointment of the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the new Acting National Chairman.
“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,” Anyanwu said.
“On this note, we decided to suspend the National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, for incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgement. He has been suspended for one month and should face the Disciplinary Committee.”
Anyanwu added that several other members of the NWC had also been suspended for various infractions.
“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,” he stated.
“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.”
He concluded by announcing Abdulrahman as the new acting national chairman, pending the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings.
“Therefore, we are announcing the National Vice Chairman (North Central) to serve as the Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman,” he said.
However, the development came just hours after the NWC under Damagum’s leadership announced the suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu himself, alongside the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two others.
