The Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee (NWC) has split into two factions.
The development came 24 hours after the High Court verdict halted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo state on the 15 and 16 of November.
While the National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum led one of the factions, the party National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu backed by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, led the other faction.
In an emergency meeting previously, the Damagum-led NWC had suspended the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organizing Secretary, Umaru Bature for one month.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, explained to newsmen that the suspended officers of the party ceased to function in their capacity during the period of their suspension.
He said: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has at its emergency meeting of Saturday, 1st November 2025, pursuant to the provision of Section 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), suspended the following National Officers for alleged anti-party activities.
Those suspended are: Senator Samuel Anyanwu – National Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature- National Organizing Secretary, Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade- National Legal Adviser and Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha- Deputy National Legal Adviser.
“The officers were suspended for a period of one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action. During the period of the suspension, the affected officers cease to function in their respective capacities.
“In the case of the National Secretary, Pursuant to Section 36(2) of the PDP Constitution, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Arc. Setonji Koshoedo shall act as the National Secretary.
“In the case of the National Legal Adviser and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, the National Director of Legal Services was directed to oversees the activities of the Department.”
Reacting, Anyanwu suspended Damagum and five other members of the NWC and announced the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the Acting National Chairman.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Saturday, Anyanwu explained why the other NWC members were suspended, adding that Damagum was suspended because of incompetence, financial misconduct and disregard for Court judgment.
While he said that the Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba was suspended for issuing statements without the party’s approval, the National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, according to him, was suspended because he was involved in alleged financial misconduct.
He said: “Unfortunately, some people may say that the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary who has the responsibility of monitoring everything and the National Legal Adviser, who is responsible for all legal issues, were purportedly suspended.
“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.
“Secondly, we also suspended the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for issuing statements without the party’s approval, and the Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, has also been suspended.
“The National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, who has been involved in alleged financial misconduct, has also been suspended. The National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, have also been suspended for 30 days. All of them will be sent to the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled.
“Therefore, we are announcing the National Vice Chairman (North Central) to serve as the Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman.”
