PDP crisis: Gale of suspensions as Wike’s men, Damangu, Anyanwu fired, Olognnagba affected
Maureen Aguta
The lingering crisis plaguing the main opposition party in the country, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has festered as a factional National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has suspended the Acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum and the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu over allegations of anti-party activities (both are believed to be protégés of the FCT Minister, Nysom Wike).
The suspension came as the internal crisis of the party deepens following an earlier suspension of the party’s National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba on similar grounds by a faction loyal to Damagum.
Ologunagba announced on Friday that Damagum and Anyanwu had been suspended.
The statement reads in part, “The NWC has thoroughly reviewed the complaints against Acting National Chairman Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, especially regarding their letter to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/PH/307/2024, which opposed the party’s stance in the case of 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who vacated their seats after defecting from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The NWC condemns this anti-party behavior by the Acting National Chairman and National Secretary, as it violates the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.
“As a result, in accordance with Sections 57, 58, and 59 of the PDP Constitution, Amb. Illiya Damagum and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu have been suspended from their positions and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.
“In the meantime, they are barred from attending any NWC meetings, activities, or programs pending the conclusion of the National Disciplinary Committee’s investigation.”
The suspension of its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN earlier announced by the Wike faction of the NWC of PDP was contained in a statement issued by the party’s National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, which followed growing internal conflicts that have plagued the PDP since 2023.
Ologunagba and Ajibade have been vocal in their push for National Chairman Umar Damagum to strictly adhere to the party’s constitution in its daily operations.
The suspension, which was made public in the early hours of Friday, is reportedly part of an ongoing investigation.
The PDP’s 593rd meeting on Thursday, October 10, 2024, set the stage for this dramatic development, as the party continues to wrestle with internal governance and constitutional matters.