PDP Faction Engulfed in Leadership Battle, Damagum, Ologunagba, Others Suspended

As tensions escalate within the opposition camp, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been plunged into yet another leadership crisis, with fresh suspensions rocking its National Working Committee (NWC).

On Saturday, a faction of the party loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, alongside five other top officials.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who spoke on behalf of the faction, said the decision followed what he described as “incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgments” by some members of the NWC.

He declared the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the new Acting National Chairman pending further decisions by the party’s Disciplinary Committee.

Anyanwu stated:

> “The National Chairman, Umar Damagum, is hereby suspended for one month over allegations of incompetence and financial impropriety. He will appear before the party’s Disciplinary Committee for further action.”

He added that the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, was also suspended for issuing statements without proper authorization, while the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, and the National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, were suspended over alleged financial and administrative misconduct.

Other affected officials include the National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, who were both placed on a 30-day suspension.

According to Anyanwu, the suspensions were necessary to “restore order, discipline, and respect for due process within the party.”

However, in a swift counter move, the NWC under Damagum’s leadership earlier in the day had announced the suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two others, accusing them of anti-party activities.

With both factions trading suspensions and counter-suspensions, analysts warn that the PDP may be heading into its most divisive internal conflict yet—one that could threaten its unity ahead of future elections.