A deepening leadership struggle has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC) loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared the suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, along with several other key officials.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Saturday, PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, addressed reporters on behalf of the faction and announced that Mohammed Abdulrahman, the party’s National Vice Chairman for the North Central zone, would immediately assume the role of Acting National Chairman.

Anyanwu accused the suspended leaders of misconduct and dereliction of duty, alleging financial irregularities and failure to comply with party principles and legal directives.

He declared:
“We have resolved to suspend Ambassador Umar Damagum for incompetence, financial mismanagement, and ignoring court rulings. He is suspended for 30 days pending appearance before the Disciplinary Committee.”

The faction also named 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, among those sanctioned.

They are all expected to defend themselves before a disciplinary panel to avoid expulsion.

The latest development marks another escalation in the internal power tussle currently polarizing the opposition party, raising concerns about its stability ahead of key national political engagements.