Wike-backed PDP NWC faction suspends national chairman Umar Damagum

A faction of the national working committee (NWC) of thePeoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Samuel Anyanwu, the national secretary,has suspended Umar Damagum as the party’s chairman. The group also suspended Debo Ologunagba, the party’sspokesperson; Taofeek Arapaja, deputy national vice-chairman (south); DanielWoyenguikoro, national financial secretary; Sulaiman Kadade, national youthleader; and Setonji Koshoedo, deputy national secretary. Anyanwu, an ally of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federalcapital territory (FCT), announced the suspension of the party officials onSaturday. He said Mohammed Abdulrahman, national vice-chairman(north-central), has been appointed as the acting national chairman. Anyanwu said the suspended party members will face adisciplinary committee “to show cause why they should not be expelled”. BACKGROUND Earlier on Saturday, the PDP NWC led by Damagum suspendedAnyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade, national legal adviser; Okechukwu Osuoha, deputylegal adviser; and Umaru Bature, national organising secretary, over allegedanti-party activities. Ologunagba, who announced the suspension during a pressconference, stated that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the NWCin Abuja. FRESH TWIST As the PDP prepares for its national convention slated forNovember 15 and 16, its internal wrangling has taken a new turn. On Friday, a federal high court in Abuja stopped theopposition party’s planned national convention. James Omotosho, the presiding judge, said evidence beforethe court showed that the party failed to hold valid state congresses beforethe planned national convention as stipulated in the 1999 constitution, theguidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and its ownconstitution. The judge declared that the PDP’s non-compliance with thelegal provisions had jeopardised its planned convention, advising the party torectify the infractions before proceeding with the event. Consequently, the court barred INEC from receiving,publishing, or recognising any outcome from the proposed convention until thePDP meets all statutory requirements. During the court case on October 14, Ajibade clashed withUmar Damagum, PDP national chairman, over who holds the authority to appointlawyers for the party. The drama unfolded when Chris Uche, a senior advocate ofNigeria (SAN), announced his appearance for the PDP, citing a letter signed byDamagum authorising him to represent the party. However, moments later, Ajibade also announced hisappearance for the PDP, arguing that only his office has the constitutionalpower to engage legal representation on behalf of the party. The conflicting claims created confusion in the courtroom,with both senior lawyers standing their ground. The tense situation forced the judge to stand downproceedings and direct the two party leaders to “put their house in order”. Recently, Anyanwu accused the party of forging his signatureon letters informing the INEC of the planned convention. The PDP NWC, board of trustees (BoT), and several partyofficials have denied the claim.

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