The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a serious turn, with party leaders engaging in suspensions and counter-suspensions.
On Saturday, October 12, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) suspended Acting National Chairman Amb. Umar Damagum and Secretary Samuel Anyanwu. This action came after allegations of anti-party activities and their involvement in the political issues in Rivers State.
Sources say this decision was made during an emergency meeting of the NWC that ended in the early hours of Saturday.
The situation worsened when Damagum suspended National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade. These two had been vocal about the need for the party to follow its own rules.
However, Damagum and Anyanwu received a court ruling that prevented the party from removing them from their positions. The Federal High Court in Abuja, led by Justice Peter Lifu, ruled that they could not be suspended until the current leadership term ends in December 2025.
In the meantime, House of Representatives member Ugo Chinyere praised the suspension of Damagum and Anyanwu, calling it a timely move. Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose also commented on the unfolding drama, saying, “PDP: It is becoming such an exciting drama. Let’s siddon dey look and see how it ends.”
Why were Ologunagba and Ajibade suspended?
The National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, announced on Friday that Ologunagba and Ajibade had been suspended following a meeting of the NWC. Their suspension is pending an investigation into serious allegations against them, and a committee has been formed to look into the matter.
In response, Ologunagba issued a statement early Saturday announcing the suspension of Damagum and Anyanwu. He stated, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has thoroughly reviewed a series of complaints against the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum, and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.”
Ologunagba argued that their actions violated the party’s constitution, leading to their suspension from all NWC activities.
Court halts the removal of Damagum
The Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) could not remove Damagum from his position. The court declared that he could only be replaced at the national convention scheduled for December next year.
The ruling came after a lawsuit from Senator Umar El-Gash Maina, who claimed there was a plot to remove Damagum illegally. The court emphasized that the PDP’s constitution must be followed and that national officers can only be elected at the national convention.
Implications for the PDP’s future
As tensions rise ahead of a major PDP leaders’ meeting on October 24, this ongoing power struggle may jeopardize the party’s chances of competing effectively against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections if not resolved soon.
