PDP Faction Suspends National Chairman, Others, Appoints New Leader

The Peoples Democratic Party is experiencing internal strife as a faction led by suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu has suspended the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and appointed a successor.

The faction, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, made the announcement on Saturday at a news briefing.

At the news briefing in Abuja, Anyanwu announced the suspension of Damagum and five other members of the National Working Committee.

He said the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, would now serve the Acting National Chairman.

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The National Working Committee of the party had earlier suspended Anyanwu and three other national officers.

The others suspended were the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature; and Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha.

Anyanwu told newsmen on Saturday: “Unfortunately, some people may say that the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary who has the responsibility of monitoring everything and the National Legal Adviser, who is responsible for all legal issues, were purportedly suspended.

“On this note, we decided to suspend the National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, for incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgment.

“He has been suspended for one month and should face the Disciplinary Committee.

“Secondly, we also suspend the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for issuing statements without the party’s approval, and the Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, has also been suspended.

“The National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, who has been involved in alleged financial misconduct, has also been suspended.

“The National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, have also been suspended for 30 days.

“All of them will be sent to the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled.

“Therefore, we are announcing the National Vice Chairman (North Central) to serve as the Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman.”