PDP NWC Suspends Controversial Suspends National Chairman and Secretary: Expected Positive Impact
Internal Crisis Deepens in PDP as National Chairman and Secretary are Suspended
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), often referred to as the largest political party in Africa, is currently navigating through a period of heightened internal strife. The suspension of two key officials—National Chairman Umar Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu—by a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) has brought underlying tensions within the party to the forefront.
Suspensions of Key Officials Fuel Internal Division
This development follows closely on the heels of the earlier removal of two other senior officials: National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade. These officials were noted for their vocal insistence that Damagum adhere to the party’s constitution in his administrative conduct.
Chinwe Nnorom, the PDP’s National Director of Publicity, confirmed these suspensions through an official statement. The suspensions were the result of decisions made during the NWC’s 593rd meeting, held on Thursday. Ologunagba and Ajibade were directed to step aside, pending an investigation into the allegations leveled against them, which will be led by a committee chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja.
New Twist as Damagum and Anyanwu Are Suspended
In a surprising turn of events, shortly after his own suspension, Debo Ologunagba issued a counter-statement on Friday, announcing the suspension of both National Chairman Damagum and National Secretary Anyanwu. Ologunagba's statement cited their mishandling of legal matters involving the party’s stance in a high-profile case concerning 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who had defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his statement, Ologunagba remarked: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has extensively considered the series of complaints raised against the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum, and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu. Specifically, this concerns the letter they addressed to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/PH/307/2024, which was against the party’s position in the case involving the former Rivers State House of Assembly members.”
Allegations of Anti-Party Activities
The NWC accused Damagum and Anyanwu of engaging in actions that directly contravened the PDP’s constitution and the oath of office they had taken upon assuming their roles. Specifically, their behavior was described as "anti-party activities," a serious violation under the party’s code of conduct. The NWC invoked Sections 57, 58, and 59 of the PDP Constitution, which outline penalties for actions deemed harmful to the party, to suspend both officials.
In the statement, the NWC emphasized: “The NWC condemned this anti-party activity of the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary, which is in gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.”
Consequences and the Road Ahead
Both Damagum and Anyanwu have been suspended from participating in any party activities or meetings while the National Disciplinary Committee investigates the allegations against them. These suspensions represent a significant escalation in the internal discord that has plagued the PDP in recent months.
The party is now grappling with this intensified crisis as it faces growing challenges from external political rivals. The path toward resolving these internal conflicts remains uncertain, and the party's leadership is under increased pressure to stabilize its ranks as it prepares for future political contests.
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