The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has descended deeper into internal turmoil as two rival factions of its National Working Committee (NWC) emerged on Saturday, each announcing suspensions of top party officials.
A faction of the NWC, reportedly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declared the suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, along with five other senior members.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who led the faction, said the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, had been appointed as the Acting National Chairman.
Anyanwu accused Damagum of incompetence, financial impropriety, and defiance of court rulings, stating that he would face a disciplinary committee.
“We have decided to suspend the National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, for one month for incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgments. He is to appear before the Disciplinary Committee,” Anyanwu said.
He added that other NWC members, including National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Vice Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyenguikoro, National Youth Leader Sulaiman Kadade, and Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, had also been suspended for 30 days pending disciplinary action.
“All of them will be referred to the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled from the party,” he stated.
Earlier on Saturday, however, the NWC loyal to Damagum had announced the suspension of Senator Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two others, escalating the leadership tussle.
The PDP’s internal divisions, long simmering between camps loyal to Wike and other party leaders, appear to have reached a new flashpoint as the 2027 elections draw closer.
