Wike-backed PDP NWC faction suspends national chairman Umar Damagum

A faction of the national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Samuel Anyanwu, the national secretary, has suspended Umar Damagum as the party’s chairman.

The group also suspended Debo Ologunagba, the party’s spokesperson; Taofeek Arapaja, deputy national vice-chairman (south); Daniel Woyenguikoro, national financial secretary; Sulaiman Kadade, national youth leader; and Setonji Koshoedo, deputy national secretary.

Anyanwu, an ally of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), announced the suspension of the party officials on Saturday.

He said Mohammed Abdulrahman, national vice-chairman (north-central), has been appointed as the acting national chairman.

Anyanwu said the suspended party members will face a disciplinary committee “to show cause why they should not be expelled”.

BACKGROUND 

Earlier on Saturday, the PDP NWC led by Damagum suspended Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade, national legal adviser; Okechukwu Osuoha, deputy legal adviser; and Umaru Bature, national organising secretary, over alleged anti-party activities.

Ologunagba, who announced the suspension during a press conference, stated that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the NWC in Abuja.

FRESH TWIST

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.

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

Recently, Anyanwu 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.