The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated sharply on Saturday after the National Working Committee (NWC) suspended four key officials, including National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, citing constitutional breaches.
Hours later, a rival faction loyal to Anyanwu hit back, suspending Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and five other executives.
The NWC, at an emergency Abuja meeting, announced one-month suspensions for Anyanwu, Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade, and Okechukwu Osuoha, referring them to the Disciplinary Committee. But Anyanwu’s camp countered, accusing Damagum of incompetence, misappropriation, and disobedience to court rulings. He also named Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting Chairman and accused some officials of acts “capable of destroying the party.”
The development follows a court ruling halting PDP’s planned November 15 national convention, further clouding its leadership stability ahead of the 2027 elections.
While the factions exchanged accusations of impunity and betrayal, party insiders fear the deepening division could cripple the opposition’s readiness for 2027. Both camps insist they act “to save the party,” but analysts say the crisis reflects the PDP’s long struggle to reconcile competing power blocs since 2015.
