The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expanded to another level, as the Senator Samuel Anyanwu–led National Working Committee (NWC) announced the counter-suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Umar Damagum, citing alleged incompetence, misappropriation of party funds, and pursuit of personal interests.

Ohibaba noted that those who were also suspended are the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, among others.

According to Senator Anyanwu, all the suspended officers will be referred to the party’s disciplinary committee for further action.

The announcement by Anyanwu comes shortly after the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced his suspension as the party’s National Secretary by the NWC.

Others suspended alongside Anyanwu are the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organizing Secretary, Umaru Bature for one month.

The suspension comes on the heels of the judgement of the Federal High Court On Friday, which stopped the party’s planned national convention.

Ologunagba had told journalists in Abuja on Saturday that the decision followed an emergency meeting of the national working committee, which was held in Abuja.

He noted that the suspended party officials have been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee.

He said that during this period of the suspension, they cease to function in their respective capacities.

According to him, in the case of the National Secretary, Pursuant to Section 36(2) of the PDP Constitution as amended in 2017, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Arc. Setonji Koshoedo shall act as the National Secretary.

He added that in the case of the National Legal Adviser and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, the National Director of Legal Services has been directed to oversee the activities of the Department.

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has suspended the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organizing Secretary, Umaru Bature for one month following a court ruling that halted the party’s planned national convention.

Disclosing this while addressing the press, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the decision followed an emergency NWC meeting held on Saturday at the party’s office, Legacy House, located in Maitama, Abuja.

He stated that, “The NWC, in line with the party’s constitution, came to the following conclusion: the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and National Organizing Secretary have been suspended for one month and referred to the PDP Disciplinary Committee.”

Details later….

‎‎

The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party from holding its planned national convention in Ibadan on November 15 and 16.

The court ruled that the party failed to comply with key provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines in the build‑up to the convention.‎‎

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho declared that the PDP cannot proceed with the convention until it provides a proper framework for electing delegates.

He stressed that the conditions for a valid national convention had not been met.‎‎

The judge noted that congresses to elect delegates were not held in several states. Where they were held, the notices were signed only by the national chairman of the party, excluding the national secretary.

This, he said, was a clear breach of INEC regulations and provisions of the Electoral Act.‎‎

Justice Omotosho also invalidated the submissions made by PDP counsel Chris Uche and Eyitayo Jegede of the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee of the party, ruling that they were not properly authorized by the party’s national legal adviser.‎‎

The judge held that it is only the National Legal Adviser that has the constitutional mandate to appoint legal representation. He explained that even though they were assigned by the national chairman, such authorization was invalid without the legal adviser’s approval.‎‎

The court further clarified that the case was not about the internal affairs of the PDP, but about compliance with electoral laws and laid down guidelines.

Justice Omotosho said the suit was aimed at ensuring democratic principles are upheld in the build up to the convention, adding that adherence to INEC guidelines helps forestall impunity.‎‎

He emphasized that the PDP’s failure to issue valid postponement notices for congresses in affected states rendered the process arbitrary and invalid.

As a result, the party is not entitled to hold a national convention until proper congresses are conducted in line with the law.‎‎

In addition, the court restrained INEC from accepting the results of any congress conducted in breach of electoral regulations.

It directed the PDP to issue fresh notices for congresses, jointly signed by both the national chairman and national secretary, as required by law.‎‎

With this ruling, the PDP’s national convention has been put on hold.

The party must now return to the drawing board, comply with electoral guidelines, and conduct valid congresses before it can reconvene its highest decision‑making gathering.