THE leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated dramatically, with factional suspensions tearing further into the opposition party’s already fragile structure.
News Point Nigeria reports that On Saturday in Abuja, a faction of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, announced the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and five other top officials, a move that signals deepening internal hostilities ahead of the party’s November elective convention.
Anyanwu, who appeared before journalists flanked by loyal NWC members, declared that Damagum had been suspended for “incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgments.”
He added that Damagum is expected to face the Disciplinary Committee within 30 days.
“We have decided to suspend the National Chairman for his failure to uphold our constitution and for blatant misconduct,” he said.
Those suspended alongside Damagum include: the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for issuing statements without the party’s approval, and the Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja.
The National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, who has been allegedly involved in alleged financial misconduct..
The National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo.
The faction also announced that Mohammed Abdulrahman, the National Vice Chairman (North Central), has assumed office as Acting National Chairman.
The announcement comes just hours after the NWC under Damagum’s leadership took its own disciplinary action, suspending Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two others, accusing them of undermining the party.
Political observers see the escalation as fallout from an intensifying power struggle involving rival blocs aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and PDP governors pushing for a unified leadership heading into the 2027 elections.
The turmoil worsens legal and political uncertainty surrounding the November 15–16 National Convention in Ibadan, already under judicial scrutiny following a recent Federal High Court restraining order.
