The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), notifying it of the suspension of the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and several others over alleged anti-party activities.
In the letter dated November 4, 2025, Damagum informed the Commission that the suspensions were ratified by the National Working Committee (NWC) in accordance with the party’s constitution and disciplinary procedures.
The development follows weeks of internal conflict within the PDP, particularly in the South-East zone, where factions loyal to Anyanwu and other national officers have clashed over control of party structures.
Damagum’s letter, titled “Notification of Disciplinary Action in Accordance with the PDP Constitution,” urged INEC to take note of the internal actions and recognise all decisions of the party’s leadership as duly constituted under his authority.
Sources within the PDP confirmed that the suspensions are connected to alleged acts of insubordination and unauthorised convening of meetings without the approval of the NWC.
Senator Anyanwu, a former Imo State governorship candidate, was earlier accused of aligning with external political interests against the party’s position in the just-concluded off-cycle elections.
In a swift response, allies of Anyanwu dismissed the suspension as “politically motivated,” insisting that due process was not followed and that the NWC lacks the authority to remove a constitutionally elected national officer without the approval of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
INEC is yet to issue an official response to the PDP’s communication, but legal experts say the electoral umpire typically recognises internal party processes only when they comply with constitutional provisions and judicial precedents.
The fresh crisis deepens internal divisions within the PDP as the party struggles to rebuild ahead of the 2027 general elections.
