By Desire Emmanuel
After an Abuja Federal High Court stopped its November 15 convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the crisis in the party became more pronounced on Saturday with the national executive members suspending themselves.
The first set of exco members on Saturday afternoon announced the suspension of its key officials while those suspended officials in the evening of the same day announced the suspension of those who suspended them.
The NWC led by the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, suspended the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the National Organising Secretary, Honourable Umar Bature; the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, after a meeting held at the Legacy House annex of the party in Abuja on Saturday.
The group accused the four party officials of committing anti-party activities by acting in several ways in breach of its constitution.
The Damagum-led NWC referred all of them to its National Disciplinary Committee for further action.
The suspension is for a period of 30 days, during which they shall not undertake any responsibilities on behalf of the PDP.
Announcing the suspension, the National Publicity Secretary, Honourable Debo Ologunagba, listed offences he said the party considered as “anti-party”, forcing the NWC to suspend them.
The national executive announced that in the absence of the National Legal Adviser and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, the National Director of Legal Services, Jacob Otorkpa, should oversee the functions of the department.
But, in a dramatic swift on Saturday evening, Anyanwu, who convened a separate NWC meeting in his capacity as national secretary, announced the suspension of Damagum and other party officials.
Besides the national chairman, the Anyanwu faction also suspended the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; the Deputy National Secretary, Setongi Koshoedo; the National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyiendikoro; and the National Youth Leader, Mohammed Kadede.
All the officials, according to Anyanwu, were suspended for 30 days and referred for disciplinary action for what he described as acting in breach of the constitution of the party relevant electoral laws.
“Some members of the NWC have caused disaffection that made some of our governors to leave the PDP to another party
“We have decided to suspend Damagum for incompetence, misappropriation of party funds and disregard for court orders,” Anyanwu announced at a media briefing he held at his Abuja office.
According to him, the NWC, following a review of the state of affairs in the party, nominated the National Vice-Chairman (North-Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, to act as the national chairman during the time Damagum will serve his suspension..
In place of Ologunagba, his NWC appointed the National Director of Publicity, Dr Chinwe Nnorom, to act as the spokesman of the party.
