The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated early Friday as rival factions of the National Working Committee (NWC) suspended key officials, including Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, over allegations of disloyalty.
In a dramatic turn of events, a faction supporting Damagum had initially announced the suspension of the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, and National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, also citing disloyalty.
In response, Ologunagba issued a statement on Friday, October 11, 2024 revealing that Damagum and Anyanwu had also been suspended.
The statement read in part:"The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has thoroughly reviewed the complaints against Acting National Chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum, and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, particularly regarding their letter to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/PH/307/2024, which contradicts the party’s stance on the case involving 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
"The NWC condemns this act of anti-party behavior by both officials, which constitutes a serious violation of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office."
The statement further noted that, under Sections 57, 58, and 59 of the PDP Constitution, Damagum and Anyanwu are suspended from their roles and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further investigation. They are also barred from participating in all NWC meetings and activities until the probe is concluded.
ND connect had reported that the Board of Trustees of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has taken decisive action to address the growing turmoil within the party, urging the National Working Committee (NWC) to convene an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. This call comes as the PDP grapples with internal divisions that threaten its unity and effectiveness.
Senator Adulphus Wabara, chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, made this urgent recommendation during a meeting in Abuja on Thursday October 10, 2024. Wabara emphasized the need for immediate dialogue to tackle the crisis that has emerged around key leadership issues, including the tenure of acting national chairman Umar Damagum and the party’s disciplinary processes.
