The internal crisis rocking the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new turn over the weekend, as 11 out of the 17 committee members rejected the authority of Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, and embattled National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.
The latest dispute stems from a legal representation issue in a pending appeal before the Supreme Court. Tensions within the party leadership had already been brewing, with disagreements over the leadership of Damagum and Anyanwu dividing the NWC. Earlier interventions by the PDP Governors Forum temporarily calmed the situation after Damagum and National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, were suspended.
The renewed crisis was triggered by a letter dated December 20, 2024, in which Damagum appointed Dr. J.Y. Musa (SAN) and Co., reportedly an ally of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, as the party’s legal counsel in Supreme Court Appeal No: CA/E/23/2024. The case involves Samuel Anyanwu and Aniagwu Emmanuel, among others. Damagum claimed to have acted on behalf of the NWC in his decision.
In response, 11 NWC members, including: Deputy National Chairman (South) – Amb. Taofeek Arapaja; National Legal Adviser – Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); National Treasurer – Yayari Ahmed, and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, submitted a counter-letter to the President of the Court of Appeal on January 23, 2025. The letter rejected Damagum’s appointment of Dr. Musa, asserting that it violated the PDP Constitution.
According to the NWC members, Article 42 of the PDP Constitution vests the authority to appoint external solicitors solely in the National Legal Adviser, not the Acting National Chairman. They urged the Supreme Court to disregard any representation by Dr. Musa, or any other counsel appointed by Damagum.
“The responsibility of appointing external solicitors to handle cases on behalf of the party is that of the National Legal Adviser, pursuant to Article 42 of the Party’s Constitution, and not that of any other NWC member”, the letter stated.
PDP spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba confirmed the position, emphasising the constitutional backing for their stance.
The role of National Secretary remains a contentious issue. Anyanwu vacated the position to contest the Imo governorship election, which he lost. In his absence, the South-East Caucus of the PDP endorsed Sunday Ude-Okoye as a replacement. However, following his electoral loss, Anyanwu’s attempt to reclaim the position has deepened the party’s divisions.
Recall that on December 20, 2024, the Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld an earlier High Court ruling that removed Anyanwu as National Secretary, affirming Ude-Okoye as his successor. Anyanwu has since filed for a Stay of Execution and Appeal, with Dr. Musa’s appointment as legal counsel by Damagum now at the center of the controversy.
The unfolding drama underscores the escalating leadership crisis within the PDP, leaving the party’s unity hanging in the balance.
