By Emmanuel Kwada
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has doubled down on its decision to suspend four senior national officers, including National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Hon. Umar Bature, National Legal Adviser Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and Deputy National Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, following an emergency National Working Committee (NWC) meeting on November 1, 2025.
The suspensions, enacted under Sections 57(3), 58(1)(a)(b)(c)(h), and 59(1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), stem from allegations of anti-party activities and gross misconduct.
In a strongly worded statement released on Friday, the PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, declared the suspensions valid for one month, with the affected officers referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further investigation.
The party has also labeled Vice Chairman (North Central) Abdulrahman Mohammed, who claims the position of Acting National Chairman, as an “impostor” and “illegitimate claimant,” accusing him of a desperate bid to derail the upcoming National Elective Convention, dubbed #Ibadan2025, scheduled for November 15-16, 2025.
The PDP emphasized its commitment to constitutional discipline and unity, noting that the NWC, led by Ambassador Damagun, remains “indivisible” with 14 of its 17 members supporting the decision.
The party has formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the suspensions, which the electoral body has acknowledged. Additionally, the PDP has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police to investigate a recent violent invasion linked to the crisis, urging accountability for the perpetrators.
The suspensions come as the PDP prepares for its critical convention in Ibadan, which was recently cleared by an Oyo State High Court on November 3, 2025.
The court ordered INEC to monitor the event, scheduled to elect new leadership amid ongoing factional disputes. Analysts view the convention as a make-or-break moment for the opposition party, which has struggled with leadership and structural challenges in recent years.
As the PDP navigates this latest crisis, the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings and the convention could shape its future relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape. The party has vowed to maintain its integrity, but the unresolved tensions and public skepticism may pose significant hurdles ahead.
