A combined photo of Umar Damagum and Samuel Anyanwu
By Victory Oghene
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet again embroiled in crisis.
The crisis which had culminated into the mass exodus of prominent members including state governors to other political parties took a rather frightening turn yesterday.
The PDP was thrown into disarray on Saturday when the PDP NWC led by Umar Damagum suspended the national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, national legal adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, deputy legal adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, and national organising secretary Umaru Bature, over alleged anti-party activities.
Their suspension was announced by Kola Ologunagba during a press conference. He stated that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the NWC in Abuja.
The Wike-backed faction of the national working committee (NWC) of the PDP led by Anyanwu was not comfortable with the development, the faction suspended Umar Damagum as the party’s chairman.
The group also suspended Debo Ologunagba, the party’s spokesperson; Taofeek Arapaja, deputy national vice-chairman (south); Daniel Woyenguikoro, national financial secretary; Sulaiman Kadade, national youth leader; and Setonji Koshoedo, deputy national secretary.
Anyanwu, an ally of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), announced the suspension of the party officials on Saturday.
He said Mohammed Abdulrahman, national vice-chairman (north-central), has been appointed as the acting national chairman.
Anyanwu said the suspended party members will face a disciplinary committee “to show cause why they should not be expelled”.
This recent upheaval literary reared its head as the PDP prepares for its national convention slated for November 15 and 16.
Recall that on Friday, a federal high court in Abuja stopped the PDP planned national convention.
James Omotosho, the presiding judge, said evidence before the court showed that the party failed to hold valid state congresses before the planned national convention as stipulated in the 1999 constitution, the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and its own constitution.
The judge declared that the PDP’s non-compliance with the legal provisions had jeopardised its planned convention, advising the party to rectify the infractions before proceeding with the event.
Consequently, the court barred INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognising any outcome from the proposed convention until the PDP meets all statutory requirements.
During the court case on October 14, Ajibade clashed with Umar Damagum over who holds the authority to appoint lawyers for the party.
The drama unfolded when Chris Uche, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), announced his appearance for the PDP, citing a letter signed by Damagum authorising him to represent the party.
However, moments later, Ajibade also announced his appearance for the PDP, arguing that only his office has the constitutional power to engage legal representation on behalf of the party.
The conflicting claims created confusion in the courtroom, with both senior lawyers standing their ground.
The tense situation forced the judge to stand down proceedings and direct the two party leaders to “put their house in order”.
Recently, Anyanwu accused the party of forging his signature on letters informing the INEC of the planned convention.
The PDP NWC, board of trustees (BoT), and several party officials have denied the claim.
