PDP Boils As Anyanwu-Led Group Moves Against Damagum, Others

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The internal crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Saturday as the Senator Samuel Anyanwu–led National Working Committee (NWC) suspended the party’s National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, alleging incompetence, misappropriation of party funds, and pursuit of personal interests.

In what appears a direct retaliation against their earlier suspension by the Damagum-led group, Anyanwu announced that five other top members of the National Working Committee (NWC) are also affected by the suspension order.

Anyanwu, who leads a faction of those considered loyalists of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, told journalists in Abuja that their decision followed allegations of incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgments by Damagum.

Consequently, he said the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, will be the new Acting National Chairman.

According to Anyanwu, “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 judgement. He has been suspended for one month and should face the Disciplinary Committee.”

Also announcing that several other members of the NWC have been suspended for various infractions, Anyanwu said, “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.”

He said pending the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings, “we are announcing the National Vice Chairman (North Central) to serve as the Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman.”

Anyanwu’s statement came shortly after the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, had announced his suspension as the PDP’s National Secretary by the NWC.

Others suspended alongside Anyanwu are the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organizing Secretary, Umaru Bature for one month.

The suspension comes on the heels of the judgement of the Federal High Court On Friday, which stopped the party’s planned national convention.

Ologunagba had told journalists in Abuja on Saturday that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the national working committee, which was held in Abuja.

He noted that the suspended party officials have been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee, adding that during they all cease to function in their respective capacities during this suspension period.

According to him, in the case of the National Secretary, Pursuant to Section 36(2) of the PDP Constitution as amended in 2017, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Arc. Setonji Koshoedo shall act as the National Secretary.

He also stated that in the case of the National Legal Adviser and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, the National Director of Legal Services has been directed to oversee the activities of the Department.