The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken another twist as the National Working Committee (NWC) suspended four senior officials over allegations of anti-party activities.
Those affected include Samuel Anyanwu, the party’s national secretary and known ally of Nyesom Wike, as well as Kamaldeen Ajibade, the national legal adviser.
Others are Okechukwu Osuoha, deputy legal adviser, and Umaru Bature, the national organising secretary.
Debo Ologunagba, the party’s spokesperson, confirmed the development at a press briefing on Saturday in Abuja.
He said the suspensions followed an emergency session of the NWC and would last for an initial period of one month.
“During this period of the suspension, they cease to function in their respective capacities,” Ologunagba announced.
He added that Setonji Koshoedo, the deputy national secretary, would temporarily act in Anyanwu’s stead, while the deputy legal adviser would take over from Ajibade.
The move comes just two weeks before the PDP’s scheduled national convention on November 15 and 16.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had on Friday halted the planned convention, ruling that the party failed to conduct valid state congresses as required by the 1999 Constitution, the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and its own constitution.
Presiding judge James Omotosho stated that the party’s non-compliance had “jeopardised” the legality of the convention and ordered INEC not to recognise any outcome from it until the identified lapses are corrected.
The court also stopped the electoral body from receiving, publishing, or validating any results from the proposed exercise.
During an earlier court session on October 14, a heated exchange broke out between Ajibade and the party’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, over who had the authority to appoint legal representation for the PDP.
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The disagreement came to light after senior advocate Chris Uche appeared in court for the PDP, citing a letter signed by Damagum.
Moments later, Ajibade also announced his appearance for the party, insisting that his office had the constitutional mandate to hire lawyers on the party’s behalf.
The confusion forced Justice Omotosho to pause the proceedings and direct the rival factions to “put their house in order.”
The latest suspensions are seen by analysts as part of a broader power tussle ahead of the convention, with the party leadership seeking to reassert control over its divided ranks.
Anyanwu, who has remained a controversial figure within the party, recently accused the leadership of forging his signature on official correspondence sent to INEC about the planned convention.
The PDP’s NWC, Board of Trustees (BoT), and several senior members have since dismissed the allegation.
With the new wave of suspensions, questions remain over whether the party can stabilise itself before the convention and mount a credible opposition to Bola Tinubu’s administration, which continues to face criticism for worsening economic and political instability in the country.
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