The fragile peace within the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reached a tipping point at the weekend, as 11 out of the 17 members of the party leadership rejected the authority of Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, and the embattled National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.
This latest crisis stems from the party’s legal representation in a pending appeal before the Supreme Court.
Previously, NWC members had been at odds over the ongoing leadership of Damagum and Anyanwu.
The discord had sharply divided the party leadership, resulting in the suspension of Damagum and the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, until the intervention of the PDP Governors Forum.
The situation deteriorated further following a letter from Damagum, dated December 20, 2024, appointing the law firm of Dr. J.Y. Musa SAN and Co., believed to be closely aligned with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, as the party’s legal representatives in Supreme Court Appeal No: CA/E/23/2024, concerning Samuel Anyanwu Vs. Aniagwu Emmanuel and 3 others.
In his letter, Damagum claimed to be acting on behalf of the NWC, instructing the firm to represent the party in the ongoing case.
However, NWC members, in a response signed by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, National Treasurer Alhaji Yayari Ahmed, National Publicity Secretary Hon. Debo Ologunagba, and others, addressed a counter letter to the President of the Court of Appeal, received on January 23, 2025, urging the court to disregard Damagum’s recent communication.
They stated that a letter of instruction claimed to be signed by the Acting National Chairman on behalf of the party, the NWC, and NEC, appointing Dr. J.Y. Musa (SAN) as the party’s representative, contravened the party’s constitution, requesting the Supreme Court and all relevant parties to ignore it.
“To clarify, the responsibility for appointing external solicitors to represent the party lies solely with the National Legal Adviser as per Article 42 of the Party’s Constitution and not with any other NWC member.”
“We therefore urge the Supreme Court to disregard the representation of Dr. J.Y. Musa or any other individual appointed by the Acting National Chairman on behalf of the party in any appeal or application arising from the referenced appeal.”
According to DAILYTRUST, Debo Ologunagba, PDP’s spokesman, stated that their letter was supported by Section 42 of the party’s constitution.
The position of National Secretary has been contentious since Anyanwu departed to contest the Imo governorship, which he ultimately lost.
In his absence, the South East Caucus of the party endorsed Sunday Ude-Okoye as his replacement.
After losing this position, Anyanwu’s attempts to reclaim his seat have plunged the party into deeper turmoil.
An Appeal Court sitting in Enugu had ruled on December 20, 2024, affirming an earlier High Court decision that removed Senator Anyanwu as the PDP National Secretary, confirming Sunday Ude-Okoye as the legitimate secretary in his stead.
Nonetheless, Anyanwu has filed for a Stay of Execution and Appeal, with Dr. Musa (SAN) nominated as the party’s legal counsel by Damagum, exacerbating the ongoing conflict.