PDP NWC suspends Wike’s ally Sam Anyanwu over ‘anti-party activities’

The national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended Samuel Anyanwu, the national secretary; and Kamaldeen Ajibade; the national legal adviser.

The party also suspended Okechukwu Osuoha, deputy legal adviser; and Umaru Bature, national organising secretary.

Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, announced the suspension during a press conference on Saturday, adding that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the NWC in Abuja.

He said the suspension will last for an initial  period of one month, and that the officials have been referred to a disciplinary committee.

“During this period of the suspension, they cease to function in their respective capacities,” Ologunagba said.

He said Setonji Koshoedo, the deputy national secretary, would serve as acting national secretary, while the deputy legal adviser would act in Ajibade’s stead.

As the PDP prepares for its national convention slated for November 15 and 16, its internal wrangling has taken a new turn.

On Friday, a federal high court in Abuja stopped the opposition party’s planned national convention.

James Omotosho, the presiding judge, said evidence before the court showed that the party failed to hold valid state congresses before the planned national convention as stipulated in the 1999 constitution, the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and its own constitution.

The judge declared that the PDP’s non-compliance with the legal provisions had jeopardised its planned convention, advising the party to rectify the infractions before proceeding with the event.

Consequently, the court barred INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognising any outcome from the proposed convention until the PDP meets all statutory requirements.

During the court case on October 14, Ajibade clashed with Umar Damagum, PDP national chairman, over who holds the authority to appoint lawyers for the party.

The drama unfolded when Chris Uche, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), announced his appearance for the PDP, citing a letter signed by Damagum authorising him to represent the party.

However, moments later, Ajibade also announced his appearance for the PDP, arguing that only his office has the constitutional power to engage legal representation on behalf of the party.

The conflicting claims created confusion in the courtroom, with both senior lawyers standing their ground before James

The tense situation forced the judge to stand down proceedings and direct the two party leaders to “put their house in order.”

Recently, Anyanwu, an ally of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), accused the party of forging his signature on letters informing the INEC of the planned convention.

The PDP NWC, board of trustees (BoT), and several party officials have denied the claim.