The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Saturday as the National Working Committee (NWC) suspended four top national officers, including the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), in what party insiders describe as a move to “restore order” ahead of its stalled national convention.
Also affected by the one-month suspension are the National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature, and Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha.
The punitive action came barely 24 hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja halted the party’s planned national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, further compounding the PDP’s internal turmoil.
Announcing the decision after an emergency meeting at the party’s Legacy House headquarters in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary Hon. Debo Ologunagba said the suspensions were in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution and that the affected officers had been referred to the Disciplinary Committee for further action.
“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,” Ologunagba told journalists.
Sources within the party hinted that the suspensions may be linked to growing divisions within the NWC over control of the party’s structure and preparations for the now-suspended convention.
The move is seen as part of a larger power struggle between rival blocs in the PDP’s leadership hierarchy — one loyal to former governors and another to sitting lawmakers and regional stakeholders pushing for internal reforms.
Party insiders warn that the decision could further polarize the PDP, already reeling from court injunctions, leadership disputes, and calls for reconciliation from senior party elders.
Efforts to reach the embattled National Secretary, Senator Anyanwu, for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.
The PDP, which once prided itself as Africa’s largest political party, now faces mounting pressure to avert a full-scale split ahead of key electoral cycles and maintain its relevance as Nigeria’s main opposition force.