The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has plunged into a full-blown leadership crisis, as rival factions within its National Working Committee (NWC) announced the suspension of one another in a dramatic escalation of internal hostilities.
The turmoil began earlier on Saturday when the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, announced the suspension of several top officials – including National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organising Secretary Umaru Bature – for one month.
According to the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who briefed newsmen after an emergency meeting at the party’s Legacy House in Abuja, the decision followed a recent court ruling halting the party’s planned national convention. He said the suspended officers were referred to the party’s Disciplinary Committee for further action.
However, in a swift and defiant counter-move, another faction of the party – reportedly aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike – held its own briefing in Abuja, announcing the suspension of Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum and several other NWC members.
Speaking on behalf of the faction, National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu declared that the National Vice-Chairman (North-Central), Mohammed AbdulRahman, had been appointed as Acting National Chairman.
He accused Damagum of incompetence, financial misconduct, and disobedience to court orders, adding 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 one month pending disciplinary action.
With both sides trading suspensions and claiming legitimacy, the once-dominant opposition party now faces one of its most serious internal breakdowns in years – a power struggle that threatens to paralyze its structures ahead of future elections.
Political observers say the deepening rift reflects the long-simmering battle between loyalists of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and those aligned with Damagum and other mainstream PDP leaders.
The party’s Board of Trustees and NGF are expected to intervene in the coming days to prevent a complete organizational collapse.
