Fresh crisis hits PDP as factions suspend Damagum, spokesperson

A faction of the national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended Umar Damagum, the acting national chairman. 

In a statement issued early Friday morning, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP spokesperson, said the NWC also suspended Samuel Anyanwu, the national secretary.

He said both politicians were suspended over alleged anti-party activities in Rivers state.

“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has extensively considered the series of complaints raised against the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu particularly with regard to the letter addressed by them to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No:CA/PH/307/2024 against the Party’s position in the case involving the 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who vacated their seats upon decamping from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” the statement reads.

“The NWC condemned this anti-party activity of the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary which is in gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.

“Consequently, the NWC, pursuant to Sections 57, 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution, has suspended Amb. Illiya Damagum and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party respectively and referred them to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.”

He said Damagum and Anyanwu are “suspended from all meetings, activities and programmes” of the NWC pending the conclusion of an investigation by the national disciplinary committee.

ANOTHER FACTION ASKS OLOGUNAGBA TO STEP ASIDE

Another faction in the NWC has asked Ologunagba and Kamaldeen Ajibade, the national legal adviser, to step aside.

In a statement, Chinwe Nnorom, PDP national director of publicity, said both party officials were suspended at the NWC meeting held on Thursday.

Nnorom said a committee headed by Taofeek Arapaja, deputy national chairman (south), has been set up to “investigate the issues raised against the officers in compliance with the provisions of the constitution of the party”.

“Following the NWC’s Decision, it directed their respective deputies (DNPS and DNLA) to assume office in acting capacity with effect from Friday, October 11, 2014, pending the conclusion of investigation by the Committee. The officers are:
Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, Esq, Acting National Publicity Secretary and Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, Acting National Legal Adviser,” the statement reads.

“The NWC enjoins all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of our great Party to remain focused and committed as it pilots the day-to-day affairs of the PDP for its greater good.”

The development comes amid the crisis rocking the main opposition party.

The PDP NWC is divided, with one faction supporting Damagum, while the other pushes for his resignation.

Ologunagba and Ajibade are among the NWC members demanding Damagum’s resignation.

In August, the leadership of the PDP inaugurated a disciplinary committee to address the misconduct and indiscipline in the party and “ensure accountability, fairness, ethics and values”.