PDP crisis deepens as Damagum, Anyanwu camps trade suspensions
By Maureen Aguta
Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has slipped deeper into crisis as rival factions on Friday announced the suspension of each other’s top officials, exposing deep divisions that threaten the unity of the once-dominant political party.
A faction loyal to the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, declared the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Illiya Damagum, suspended for one month over alleged incompetence, financial misconduct, and disobedience to court orders.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the group also announced the suspension of National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, National Youth Leader Sulaiman Kadade, and Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, pending investigation by the party’s disciplinary committee.
“The PDP can no longer tolerate abuse of office and gross violation of its constitution. The Damagum-led leadership has lost legitimacy,” the faction declared.
But the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) swiftly fired back, dismissing the move as “illegal, null and void,” and counter-suspending Senator Anyanwu and the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), for alleged anti-party activities.
“No individual or group has the authority to suspend elected national officers. The PDP remains united under due process,” Ologunagba said in a counter statement.
Wike Camp vs Reform Bloc
Party insiders say the crisis mirrors a growing struggle between loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and reformist blocs pushing for internal democracy and control ahead of the 2027 elections.
A PDP governor, who spoke anonymously, described the confrontation as “a war for the soul of the party.”
“This fight isn’t about Damagum or Anyanwu. It’s about 2027 and who controls the party structure,” the governor said.
States Split, Parallel Structures Emerge
Across state chapters, loyalty lines are hardening. In the South-South, Wike’s ally, Chief Dan Orbih, has allegedly created parallel executives in Edo and Bayelsa States, defying the national secretariat. In contrast, southern chairmen sympathetic to Anyanwu accused the NWC of sidelining them in key decisions and violating zoning arrangements.
“The PDP must return to its founding principles of internal democracy,” a South-South chairman said after a zonal meeting in Port Harcourt.
Analysts Warn of Implosion
Political observers warn the escalating feud could erode the PDP’s credibility and electoral strength ahead of 2027.
Dr. Austin Adebayo, a political analyst at the University of Abuja, said the crisis was symptomatic of deeper structural decay.
“When two factions suspend each other, authority collapses. Unless reconciliation happens fast, the PDP risks political extinction,” he said.
Court Order, Uncertain Future
The leadership feud comes amid a Federal High Court ruling restraining the PDP from holding its planned national convention until internal irregularities are resolved. Some southern leaders back the order, while Damagum’s camp insists the court was misled.
Efforts by senior party figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to mediate between the factions are ongoing but have yet to yield results.
“This is beyond a power tussle — it’s a full-blown split,” a member of the party’s National Executive Committee told this reporter. “If both sides don’t step back, the PDP may not recover.”
Once hailed as Africa’s largest political party, the PDP now stands on the brink of disintegration. With suspensions flying and parallel structures emerging, its dream of returning to power in 2027 may be fading fast.