The internal crisis within Nigeria’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Saturday after National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu announced the suspension of the party’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and several other senior officials.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Mr Anyanwu a close ally of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike said Mr Damagum was suspended for one month for “incompetence, financial misconduct and disregard for a court judgment”. He added that the chairman would appear before the party’s Disciplinary Committee.
The announcement came in response to an earlier decision by rival members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to suspend Mr Anyanwu and other officials loyal to Mr Wike.
Alongside Mr Damagum, Mr Anyanwu declared the suspension of National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja and National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyenguikoro, whom he accused of issuing unauthorised statements and mismanaging party funds.
He also named National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature among those previously suspended by the opposing faction.
Mr Anyanwu welcomed Friday’s Federal High Court ruling which halted preparations for the PDP’s 2025 national convention, calling it “a victory against impunity and illegality”.
The PDP has yet to issue a unified statement on the leadership tussle, highlighting deepening divisions within the party as it struggles to rebuild following its defeat in the 2023 general elections.