PDP Splits Into Two Factions As Key Leaders, Including National Chairman, Are Suspended

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing deeper internal conflict as its National Working Committee (NWC) suspended key officials, worsening the ongoing crisis.

National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade were suspended on allegations of misconduct, including disloyalty and insubordination.

In a statement released on Thursday, October 10, PDP’s National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, confirmed their suspension.

He said a disciplinary committee, led by Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, would review the matter, noting that their deputies were instructed to take over in acting capacities.

A statement signed by the PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Manga read: “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 levelled against the duo.

“In the meantime,the Deputies in the respective Directorates, Ibrahim Abdullahi and Barr Okechukwu Osuoha, have stepped-in in acting capacity.”

The crisis intensified when a faction loyal to the suspended officials responded by suspending acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.

They accused the two leaders of engaging in anti-party activities by allegedly undermining the PDP’s stance in a legal case involving 27 former Rivers State House of Assembly members who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ologunagba’s faction criticized Damagum and Anyanwu for communicating with the Court of Appeal, arguing it violated the party’s position.

Their statement read: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has extensively considered the series of complaints raised against the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu particularly with regard to the letter addressed by them to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No:CA/PH/307/2024 against the Party’s position in the case involving the 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who vacated their seats upon decamping from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“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.

“Consequently, 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.

“In the meantime, the two officials are suspended from all meetings, activities and programs of the NWC pending the conclusion of investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee.”

The rift, centered on party leadership and direction, has left the NWC divided with no clear resolution.

As both factions vie for control, the party’s ability to operate effectively is at risk, particularly as Nigeria approaches a crucial election period.

With a disciplinary committee now involved, the PDP faces an uncertain future amid these leadership disputes.

KanyiDaily recalls that APC and PDP members recently staged a joint protest over the local government election in Rivers state.