Crisis Deepens in PDP as Anyanwu Camp Ousts Damagum, Accuses Him of Incompetence

The deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a fresh twist as the Senator Samuel Anyanwu–led National Working Committee (NWC) announced the counter-suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, over alleged incompetence, fund mismanagement, and pursuit of personal interests.

Also hit with suspension are the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, among others.

Anyanwu, who made the announcement on Saturday, said the affected officers would be referred to the party’s disciplinary committee for further action.

The move came just hours after Ologunagba had declared Anyanwu suspended as the party’s National Secretary, along with other officials including National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organizing Secretary Umaru Bature — all suspended for one month.

Ologunagba said the decision followed an emergency NWC meeting held in Abuja and added that the suspended officials would cease to function in their respective capacities during the suspension period.

He further explained that, in line with Section 36(2) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), Deputy National Secretary Hon. Arc. Setonji Koshoedo would act as National Secretary in the interim, while the National Director of Legal Services would oversee the Legal Department.

The escalating row follows Friday’s Federal High Court judgment halting the party’s planned national convention, deepening uncertainty over the PDP’s leadership and direction.