The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been thrown into deeper turmoil as a new faction within its leadership, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, alongside five top members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who spoke on behalf of the factional NWC, declared that the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, has been appointed as the new Acting National Chairman of the party.
Anyanwu said the decision followed what he described as “gross incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgment” on the part of Damagum, adding that he has been suspended for one month pending an appearance before the party’s Disciplinary Committee.
“Unfortunately, some people may claim that the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary, and the National Legal Adviser were purportedly suspended,” Anyanwu stated. “However, after reviewing the situation, we decided to suspend Ambassador Ilya Damagum for incompetence and financial mismanagement. He must face the Disciplinary Committee.”
The faction also announced the suspension of National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for issuing unauthorized statements, and Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, for alleged misconduct.
Other officials affected include the National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, who was accused of financial infractions, the National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo. Both Kadade and Koshoedo were suspended for 30 days to allow for investigations into alleged breaches of party conduct.
“All the suspended members will appear before the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled from the party,” Anyanwu said, stressing that the leadership vacuum has now been filled by Abdulrahman in an acting capacity.
The fresh wave of suspensions has intensified the internal battle for control within the PDP, which has been struggling to maintain cohesion ahead of its planned national convention.
Political analysts say the escalating feud between the Wike-backed faction and Damagum’s loyalists could further weaken the opposition party’s national structure, especially as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
With rival factions now issuing conflicting directives from the same secretariat, the PDP faces one of its most chaotic leadership crises in recent years, raising concerns over whether reconciliation is still possible within Africa’s once-dominant political party.
