The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Friday as the faction loyal to Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, insisted that the suspension of three key National Working Committee (NWC) members — National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) — remains valid and binding.
The faction maintained that the disciplinary action taken against the officials for alleged anti-party activities and gross misconduct was consistent with the provisions of the PDP Constitution and aimed at safeguarding the party’s internal cohesion ahead of its forthcoming National Convention.
In a statement posted on the party’s verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Damagum-led NWC accused the suspended officials of engaging in activities that threatened the unity and stability of the PDP at a critical time.
Faction moves to assert control ahead of National Convention
The statement further alleged that the party’s Vice Chairman (North Central), Abdulrahman Mohammed, who had earlier declared himself as Acting National Chairman, was an “impostor” and an “illegitimate claimant” to the position.
According to the statement, Mohammed’s declaration was part of what it described as a “desperate plot” to derail preparations for the PDP’s National Elective Convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.
“The decisive stance to suspend them underscores the party’s unwavering commitment to constitutional discipline and unity as it prepares toward the unifying National Elective Convention,” the statement read.
The faction said the suspensions, imposed on November 1, 2025, followed an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee, which acted under Sections 57(3), 58(1)(a)(b)(c)(h) and 59(1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
It said the suspensions were due to what it termed “grave constitutional infractions and actions detrimental to the party’s progress and public image.”
The faction added that the disciplinary measures also extended to the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, and would remain in effect for one month pending review by the National Disciplinary Committee.
Party notifies INEC, vows to uphold unity
According to the statement, the PDP has formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the actions taken, ensuring that the electoral body is informed of the current leadership structure and decisions of the NWC.
“In view of the foregoing, the PDP has formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of these actions, ensuring compliance with the decision of the NWC, which the electoral body has acknowledged,” the statement read in part.
The Damagum faction emphasized that the National Working Committee remains united under his legitimate leadership, insisting that 14 out of 17 members of the NWC have aligned with the decisions taken.
“The PDP NWC remains indivisible under Ambassador Damagum’s legitimate leadership, with 14 of 17 members standing firm against this charade,” the statement continued.
It further accused the suspended officials of working with “external political interests” to destabilize the party ahead of its convention, although it did not provide evidence to support the claims.
“Anyanwu, Bature, Ajibade, and their co-conspirators, including the self-proclaimed ‘Acting Chairman’ Abdulrahman Mohammed, are illegitimate actors whose desperate maneuvers, fueled by personal ambitions, will not fracture the PDP’s resolve,” the faction declared.
Petition to police and call for calm
The faction also disclosed that a formal petition has been sent to the Inspector-General of Police, calling for an investigation into what it described as a “violent invasion” of the party’s national secretariat.
“Their suspensions stand as a bulwark for party integrity, and the party has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the violent invasion and hold perpetrators accountable,” the statement said.
It called on all party members and stakeholders across Nigeria to remain calm and to disregard what it described as attempts by “disgruntled elements” to cause confusion within the PDP’s national leadership.
Internal rift persists despite mediation efforts
The latest development comes amid growing internal tensions within the PDP’s national leadership, as different factions continue to jostle for control of the party machinery ahead of next month’s elective convention.
Efforts by senior party leaders and the Board of Trustees (BoT) to mediate and restore unity have so far yielded limited results, with rival groups trading accusations over alleged manipulation of internal structures and constitutional violations.
Political analysts say the unfolding crisis poses a serious challenge to the PDP’s efforts to reposition itself as a credible opposition ahead of future elections.
Dr. Sani Muktar, a political analyst at the Centre for Democratic Studies, told Vanguard that the Damagum faction’s insistence on enforcing disciplinary action may help restore order but could also deepen divisions if not carefully managed.
“The PDP is at a crossroads. Discipline is necessary, but unity is equally vital. If both sides continue to escalate the situation, it could have far-reaching implications for the party’s image and cohesion,” Muktar said.
As the party prepares for its Ibadan National Convention, where new national officers are expected to be elected, stakeholders are calling for restraint and dialogue to prevent further fragmentation within Nigeria’s oldest surviving political party.
