A factional National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended the Acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum and the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu over allegations of anti-party activities.
The suspension came as the internal crisis of the party deepens following an earlier suspension of the party’s National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba on similar grounds by a faction loyal to Damagum.
In a new development, Ologunagba announced on Friday that Damagum and Anyanwu had been suspended.
The statement reads in part, “The NWC has thoroughly reviewed the complaints against Acting National Chairman Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, especially regarding their letter to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/PH/307/2024, which opposed the party’s stance in the case of 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who vacated their seats after defecting from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The NWC condemns this anti-party behavior by the Acting National Chairman and National Secretary, as it violates the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.
“As a result, in accordance with Sections 57, 58, and 59 of the PDP Constitution, Amb. Illiya Damagum and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu have been suspended from their positions and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.
“In the meantime, they are barred from attending any NWC meetings, activities, or programs pending the conclusion of the National Disciplinary Committee’s investigation.”
