PDP Splits Into Two After Court Halts Convention

The deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reached a breaking point on Saturday as the National Working Committee (NWC) split into two opposing factions.

The division came barely a day after a Federal High Court in Abuja stopped the party’s planned national convention scheduled for November 15.

The dispute began when the faction led by the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, suspended four top officials — National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and Deputy National Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha. The group accused them of engaging in anti-party activities and violating several provisions of the PDP constitution. The suspended officials were referred to the party’s disciplinary committee and barred from performing their duties for 30 days.

Following their suspension, the party directed the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, to act as National Secretary, while the National Director of Legal Services, Jacob Otorkpa, was asked to take over legal responsibilities pending the outcome of investigations. The move signaled a widening rift between members of the NWC.

In a swift counteraction, Anyanwu convened his own NWC meeting and announced the suspension of Damagum and several other top officials, including Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyiendikoro, and National Youth Leader Mohammed Kadede. He accused Damagum of incompetence, mismanagement of party funds, and disregard for court orders.

Anyanwu’s group named Mohammed Abdulrahman, the National Vice Chairman (North-Central), as acting National Chairman, while Dr Chinwe Nnorom was appointed as acting National Publicity Secretary. The faction also insisted that it remained the authentic leadership of the PDP despite the suspensions.

The two factions have since traded accusations, each claiming to act in the best interest of the party. Damagum’s camp said its actions were in line with the PDP constitution, while Anyanwu’s faction maintained that Damagum’s leadership had lost legitimacy due to internal failures and unresolved court matters.

The latest division follows months of internal wrangling over the planned national convention. The court ruling that stopped the convention came after three aggrieved party officials — Austin Nwachukwu of Imo State, Amah Nnanna of Abia State, and Turnah George from the South-South zone — filed a suit challenging alleged breaches of the PDP and Nigerian constitutions in the convention’s preparations.

Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, ruled that the party violated provisions of the Electoral Act and its constitution, ordering an immediate halt to the convention. The Damagum-led NWC described the judgment as an assault on democracy and vowed to appeal the decision.

Before the split, tensions had been rising over issues such as zoning arrangements, state congresses, and control of the party’s internal structures. Disagreements between Damagum and Anyanwu had repeatedly spilled into public view, with both sides writing conflicting letters to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other institutions.

The crisis has now plunged the PDP into uncertainty as both factions continue to claim control of the party’s leadership. The latest development also raises questions about the future of the opposition party, which has struggled to maintain unity since its loss in the 2023 general elections.