By Muhammad Mamman
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum, alongside five other members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, representing the factional NWC, said the group had appointed Mohammed Abdulrahman, the party’s National Vice Chairman for the North Central zone, as Acting National Chairman.
Anyanwu explained that the move became necessary following what he described as “incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgments” on the part of the suspended National Chairman.
He stated, “We have decided to suspend Ambassador Ilya Damagum for one month over incompetence, financial mismanagement, and contempt for the law. He will appear before the Disciplinary Committee to defend himself.”
The faction also announced the suspension of several other top officials, including the 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.
According to Anyanwu, each of the suspended officers will face the party’s Disciplinary Committee within 30 days to “show cause why they should not be expelled from the PDP.”
He accused the affected officers of breaching party protocol, issuing unauthorised statements, and mismanaging party resources, adding that the faction’s actions were aimed at restoring discipline and accountability within the PDP.
“Some of these individuals have acted beyond their authority and undermined the collective leadership of the party. This decision is not about witch-hunting but about restoring order and respect for due process,” he said.
The development marks a new phase in the deepening crisis rocking the PDP, which has been plagued by internal divisions between factions loyal to Minister Wike and those aligned with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Political observers warn that the escalating rift could further destabilise the opposition party ahead of future elections, unless urgent reconciliation efforts are undertaken.
With the suspension of Damagum and the emergence of Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman, the PDP now faces one of its most turbulent leadership challenges in recent years — one that could shape the future of the party’s national structure and influence.
