The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Friday, following the suspension of its acting National Chairman, Iliya Damagum, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, over allegations of anti-party activities.
In a statement released early Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) announced the suspension of the two top officials. The statement, titled “Decision of the National Working Committee of the PDP on Reported Anti-Party Activity by the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu,” detailed their suspension for actions deemed contrary to the party’s interests.
According to Ologunagba, the NWC reviewed complaints regarding a letter sent by Damagum and Anyanwu to the Court of Appeal in the case involving 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. These members had vacated their seats after defecting from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The NWC considered this action a violation of the party’s constitution and their oaths of office.
“The NWC condemned this anti-party activity of the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary, which is in gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office,” the statement read.
Citing Sections 57, 58, and 59 of the PDP Constitution, the NWC suspended Damagum and Anyanwu and referred them to the National Disciplinary Committee for further investigation. During this period, both officials are barred from participating in any meetings, activities, or programs of the NWC.
Counter Suspension
In a surprising twist, a counter-statement was issued later in the day by Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, who identified himself as the acting National Publicity Secretary. Manga announced the suspension of Ologunagba and the party’s National Legal Adviser, accusing them of “acts of insubordination.”
The statement, referencing the NWC’s 593rd meeting on October 10, 2024, declared that Ologunagba and the National Legal Adviser were suspended pending the outcome of investigations into their alleged disloyalty.
“In the meantime, the Deputies in the respective directorates, Ibrahim Abdullahi and Barr Okechukwu Osuoha, have stepped in as acting officials,” Manga’s statement concluded.
This unfolding crisis deepens the factional divide within the PDP, raising concerns about the party’s ability to navigate through these turbulent times.
