Tensions Soar In PDP As 11 NWC Members Take On Damagum And Anyanwu In Leadership Battle

The internal turmoil within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepens as 11 members of its National Working Committee (NWC) have called for the removal of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu.

This move comes amid ongoing legal battles surrounding the party’s secretary position. The NWC members are demanding Damagum’s resignation to allow for the selection of a new chairman. They are also pushing for Anyanwu’s replacement, citing his candidacy for the Imo State governorship election as a conflict of interest for holding the National Secretary role.

In a letter dated January 21 and sent to the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and the President of the Court of Appeal, the NWC members expressed their disapproval of Damagum’s unilateral decision to appoint Dr. J.Y. Musa, SAN, as the party’s legal representative in an appeal case. They argued that only the National Legal Adviser has the authority to make such appointments under Article 42 of the PDP constitution.

The letter, signed by senior party officials including Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, was received by both the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in late January.

The leadership crisis in the PDP has persisted since Damagum took over as acting chairman after the court-ordered removal of former chairman Iyorchia Ayu. Critics contend that Damagum has failed to resolve the party’s internal issues, weakening its influence.

Attempts to settle the dispute over the National Secretary position have also faced setbacks. Despite the Appeal Court in Enugu confirming Sunday Ude-Okoye as the new National Secretary in December 2024, a restraining order from the Abuja Court of Appeal allowed Anyanwu to remain in the position until the Supreme Court issues a final ruling.

The 11 NWC members’ letter emphasized that Damagum’s appointment of Musa as the legal representative was unauthorized and called for the courts to reject Musa’s representation, reiterating that the decision falls exclusively under the authority of the National Legal Adviser.