The National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been suspended by the party’s factional National Working Committee due to accusations of anti-party activity.
Following the earlier suspensions of the party’s National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and National Legal Advisor Kamaldeen Ajibade on identical reasons by a group loyal to Damagum, the suspensions occurred as the internal conflict inside the party deepened.
In a recent development, Ologunagba declared Damagum and Anyanwu’s suspension on Friday.
The statement reads in part, “The NWC has thoroughly reviewed the complaints against Acting National Chairman Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, especially regarding their letter to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/PH/307/2024, which opposed the party’s stance in the case of 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who vacated their seats after defecting from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The NWC condemns this anti-party behaviour by the Acting National Chairman and National Secretary, as it violates the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.
“As a result, in accordance with Sections 57, 58, and 59 of the PDP Constitution, Amb. Illiya Damagum and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu have been suspended from their positions and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.
“In the meantime, they are barred from attending any NWC meetings, activities, or programs pending the conclusion of the National Disciplinary Committee’s investigation.”
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