ABUJA, Nigeria — The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated dramatically on Saturday, November 1, 2025, after a faction of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu announced the suspension of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and several senior officials.
In a swift counter-move hours earlier, the Damagum-led NWC had suspended Anyanwu and three other top officers over alleged anti-party activities, deepening rifts within Nigeria’s main opposition party just weeks before its planned national convention.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Anyanwu — an ally of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike — declared Damagum suspended along with National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba; Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja; National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyenguikoro; National Youth Leader Sulaiman Kadade; and Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo.
He announced that Mohammed Abdulrahman, the party’s National Vice-Chairman (North-Central), had been appointed acting national chairman.
“The suspended officials will face a disciplinary committee to show cause why they should not be expelled,” Anyanwu said.
Earlier on Saturday, November 1, 2025, Ologunagba announced the suspension of Anyanwu; National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade; Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature.
He said the suspension followed an emergency meeting of the NWC and would last for an initial one-month period pending disciplinary proceedings.
The exchanges follow a ruling on Friday, October 31, 2025, by the Federal High Court in Abuja halting the PDP’s national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan.
Justice James Omotosho held that the party failed to conduct valid state congresses as required by law and by its constitution, warning that the convention process had been “jeopardised” by procedural breaches. He barred INEC from recognising any outcome until compliance is achieved.
The power struggle intensified last month when Ajibade and Damagum clashed in court over who has authority to appoint legal counsel for the party.
During proceedings on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chris Uche announced appearance for the PDP based on Damagum’s authorisation.
Ajibade contested the appointment, insisting only his office could engage counsel.
The judge subsequently stood down the matter, urging party leaders to “put their house in order.”
Anyanwu later alleged that his signature was forged on correspondence to INEC relating to the convention — a claim the NWC and Board of Trustees denied.
