The internal turmoil within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated dramatically as the Samuel Anyanwu-led faction announced the suspension of Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, along with five other top party officials.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Anyanwu declared that the faction had appointed the National Vice Chairman (North-Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the new Acting National Chairman of the party. He explained that Damagum’s suspension followed allegations of incompetence, financial impropriety, and disregard for judicial directives.
“Unfortunately, some may argue that the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary, and National Legal Adviser were purportedly suspended. However, we have decided to suspend Ambassador Iliya Damagum for incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgments,” Anyanwu stated.
According to him, Damagum has been suspended for one month and directed to appear before the Disciplinary Committee to defend himself.
The faction also announced the suspension of several other senior party officials, including the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for issuing statements without authorization; the Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, for alleged misconduct; the National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, for suspected financial irregularities; the National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, all of whom were suspended for 30 days pending disciplinary proceedings.
This move came just days after the Damagum-led NWC had announced the suspension of Samuel Anyanwu himself, along with National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) and two others a development that has deepened the widening rift within the party’s leadership structure.
The latest development highlights the deepening cracks and persistent power struggles that have long plagued the PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party. What started as routine internal disagreements has now degenerated into a full-blown factional war, threatening the unity and survival of a party once regarded as the most organized political structure in Africa.
From the Ali Modu Sheriff–Ahmed Makarfi leadership dispute of 2016 to the current face-off between Damagum and Anyanwu, the PDP’s history has been marked by cycles of crisis and rebellion. Each wave of internal conflict has weakened the party’s cohesion, creating multiple centers of power and fueling public perception of disarray.
Analysts believe that unless the PDP undertakes a genuine reconciliation process anchored on transparency and adherence to its constitution, it risks further fragmentation ahead of the 2027 general elections. The emergence of multiple factions each claiming legitimacy underscores how ego, regional politics, and vested interests continue to overshadow collective vision and party discipline.
The deepening division within the PDP not only exposes the fragility of its leadership structure but also raises questions about its readiness to provide credible opposition and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s democratic space.
