The internal crisis in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) has worsened, with a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) suspending the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, over alleged disloyalty to the party.
This development comes on the heels of an earlier announcement by a faction of the NWC aligned with Damagum, suspending the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, and National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on similar grounds.
According to a statement on Friday by National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade (SAN) the NWC took the decision to suspend Damagum and Anyanwu after considering complaints regarding their letter to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No:CA/PH/307/2024, which contradicted the party’s stance on the case involving 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The statement condemned their actions as “anti-party” and in “gross violation” of the PDP Constitution and their Oath of Office.
“The NWC, pursuant to Sections 57, 58, and 59 of the PDP Constitution, has suspended Amb. Illiya Damagum and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party respectively and referred them to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.
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“In the meantime, the two officials are suspended from all meetings, activities and programmes of the NWC pending the conclusion of investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee”, the statement read.
Earlier a statement was issued by Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, who signed as Ag. National Publicity Secretary, PDP, also announcing the suspension of Ologunagba and the party’s National Legal Adviser.
According to the counter statement, their suspension was based on what they described as “Act of Insubordination.
” Arising from its 593rd meeting, 10th October, 2024, the National Working Committee has suspended the National Publicity Secretary and the National Legal Adviser of the Party, pending the determination of allegations of disloyalty and insubordination leveled against the duo,” Manga’s statement read.
“In the meantime,the Deputies in the respective DIRECTORATES,Ibrahim Abdullahi and Barr Okechukwu Osuoha, have stepped-in in acting capacity.”
Reactions and Implications
This latest development has further exacerbated the divisions within the PDP, with many questioning the legitimacy of the suspensions. The party’s internal conflicts have been ongoing for months, with various factions vying for control.
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