The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s major opposition political organization, has been thrown into deeper turmoil as internal divisions widened on Saturday following the emergence of two rival factions within its National Working Committee (NWC).
At a press briefing in Abuja, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who led one of the factions reportedly backed by Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced the suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, alongside five other senior members.
According to Anyanwu, the faction had appointed the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, to serve as the Acting National Chairman pending further decisions by the party’s disciplinary bodies.
“Unfortunately, some people may say that the National Secretary and National Organising Secretary who have the responsibility of monitoring everything, and the National Legal Adviser responsible for all legal issues, were purportedly suspended,” Anyanwu said. “On this note, we decided to suspend the National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, for incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgment. He has been suspended for one month and should face the Disciplinary Committee.”
He further stated that other members suspended include the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for issuing statements without authorization; the Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; the National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro; the National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade; and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo.
All six officials, according to the faction, have been directed to appear before the party’s Disciplinary Committee within 30 days to defend themselves against allegations of misconduct.
Okay News reports that moments before Anyanwu’s announcement, the faction loyal to Damagum had itself declared the suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two other members of the committee.
This fresh round of suspensions signals a renewed power struggle within the PDP, a party that once governed Nigeria for 16 years before losing power in 2015. The crisis has raised concerns over the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political observers note that the ongoing internal dispute, involving figures aligned with different power blocs — including supporters of Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, and allies of Minister Wike — could further weaken the opposition’s ability to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP, founded in 1998, has faced a series of internal battles in recent years, but Saturday’s open confrontation between factions marks one of its most serious leadership breakdowns since its electoral defeat a decade ago.
