PDP Leadership Crisis Deepens: National Chairman Damagum and Secretary Anyanwu Suspended
Factional Crisis in PDP’s National Working Committee
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is facing an internal crisis as a faction of its National Working Committee (NWC) suspended the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu. This development follows accusations of anti-party activities by the two top officials.
In a dramatic move, the Damagum faction also suspended Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary, and Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, the National Legal Adviser. The NWC has set up a committee, chaired by Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate these officers in accordance with the PDP Constitution.
Internal Power Struggle and Suspensions
The suspension of Damagum and Anyanwu was announced by the opposing faction within the NWC, which also accused the two suspended officers of undermining the party’s position in a legal battle involving 27 former Rivers State House of Assembly members who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a counter-statement, Ologunagba and his faction expressed their dismay over a letter sent by Damagum and Anyanwu to the Court of Appeal, which they claimed was a direct violation of the PDP Constitution and an act of gross misconduct. As a result, the faction referred Damagum and Anyanwu to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.
Committee Investigation and Acting Officers
Following the suspensions, the NWC appointed Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga, Esq. as the Acting National Publicity Secretary, and Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha as the Acting National Legal Adviser. These deputies have taken over the responsibilities of their respective offices pending the conclusion of investigations into the actions of the suspended officers.
The committee under Taofeek Arapaja has been tasked with looking into the accusations raised against Debo Ologunagba and Kamaldeen Ajibade, as part of the NWC’s efforts to maintain discipline and resolve the internal conflict.
Court Case Involvement and PDP’s Legal Battle
The ongoing conflict within the party has been further complicated by a court case involving former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The NWC, under the leadership of Damagum and Anyanwu, allegedly took a stance that was against the party’s official position on the defection of the 27 lawmakers to the APC. This legal confrontation is a key reason behind the internal strife.
The party’s constitution explicitly prohibits actions that may undermine the party’s unity and objectives. The anti-party activities of Damagum and Anyanwu, according to the opposing faction, represent a clear breach of the PDP’s guiding principles, leading to their suspension.
Calls for Unity Within PDP Leadership
In the wake of the growing crisis, Senator Adolphus Wabara, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), has called on party members to settle their differences and work towards rebuilding unity within the party. Wabara stressed the need for internal cohesion to avoid further disintegration as the PDP prepares for future elections.
This internal power struggle could have significant implications for the party’s leadership structure and its ability to present a united front in upcoming electoral battles. The NWC remains divided, with both sides accusing each other of undermining the party’s constitution and objectives.
Social Media Reactions:
- @PoliticalWatchNG: “PDP in crisis again! National Chairman Damagum and Secretary Anyanwu suspended for anti-party activities. #PDPLeadership”
- @NaijaPoliticsDaily: “The PDP crisis deepens. Will suspending Damagum and Anyanwu fix the party or make things worse? #PDP”
- @RiversPeopleFirst: “PDP’s leadership crisis continues as Damagum and Anyanwu face suspension for anti-party actions. #NigerianPolitics”
- @AfricaPoliticsEye: “More drama from the PDP. Damagum and Anyanwu suspended over controversial legal stance. What’s next? #NWC”
- @APCDailyWatch: “PDP suspends its top leadership. Is this the beginning of the end for the party? #PoliticalCrisis”
- @LegalGavelNG: “Court cases stirring leadership strife in PDP. Damagum and Anyanwu suspended over Rivers lawmakers’ defection case. #PDP”
- @NigeriaTodayNews: “With Damagum and Anyanwu suspended, can the PDP’s National Working Committee survive this power struggle? #PDPDisarray”
- @JusticeWatchNG: “Leadership in limbo. PDP suspends its chairman and secretary. #PDPLeadershipCrisis”
- @VanguardNigeria: “PDP’s internal rift heats up with the suspension of Damagum and Anyanwu. What’s next for the party? #PoliticsInNigeria”.
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