By Abiola Olawale
The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reached a new peak, plunging the main opposition party into further chaos.
This comes as a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC), led by the suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has announced the counter-suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and five other principal officers.
The announcement by the Anyanwu-led group on Saturday comes barely hours after the Damagum-led NWC had announced the suspension of Anyanwu himself, alongside the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and two other officials, over alleged anti-party activities.
Speaking on behalf of his faction, Anyanwu declared that Ambassador Damagum’s suspension, initially for one month, was due to accusations of incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for a court judgment.
However, briefing newsmen in Abuja on Saturday on behalf of the factional NWC, Anyanwu announced the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the Acting National Chairman.
He stated: “Unfortunately, some people may say that the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary, who has the responsibility of monitoring everything, and the National Legal Adviser, who is responsible for all legal issues, were purportedly suspended.
“On this note, we decided to suspend the National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, for incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgment. He has been suspended for one month and should face the Disciplinary Committee.
“Secondly, we also suspended the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for issuing statements without the party’s approval, and the Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, has also been suspended.
“The National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro, who has been involved in alleged financial misconduct, has also been suspended.
“The National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade, and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, have also been suspended for 30 days. All of them will be sent to the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled.
“Therefore, we are announcing the National Vice Chairman (North Central) to serve as the Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman.”
