The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn as the Senator Samuel Anyanwu–led National Working Committee (NWC) announced the counter-suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, over alleged incompetence, misappropriation of party funds, and pursuit of personal interests.
Also suspended are the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, among other top party officials.
In a statement released on Saturday, Senator Anyanwu said all the suspended officers would be referred to the party’s disciplinary committee for further action.
The announcement by the Anyanwu-led NWC came shortly after Ologunagba announced Anyanwu’s own suspension as National Secretary, alongside several other officers, including the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organizing Secretary, Umaru Bature, for one month.
Ologunagba had earlier told journalists in Abuja that the decision followed an emergency NWC meeting held in the capital. He explained that the affected officers were suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings.
According to him, during the suspension period, the affected officials are barred from performing their duties. He also stated that, in line with Section 36(2) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Arc. Setonji Koshoedo, would serve as Acting National Secretary.
Similarly, he said that in the absence of the National and Deputy Legal Advisers, the National Director of Legal Services had been directed to oversee the legal department’s activities.
