The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as 11 out of the 17 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) have rejected the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, and the embattled National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE learnt that the latest crisis was ignited by Damagum’s appointment of Dr. J Y Musa SAN and Co., believed to be a close ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as legal representatives of the party in the Supreme Court Appeal No: CA / E/ 23/2024, involving Samuel Anyanwu Vs. Aniagwu Emmanuel and 3 others.
Damagum made the appointment through a letter dated December 20, 2024, in which said he did so on behalf of the NWC and instructing the chambers to represent the party in the case in question.
The 11 members of the NWC in a letter 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, countered Damagum’s letter to the President of the Court of Appeal which was stamped received on January 23, 2025, which told the court not to act on Damagum’s letter.
They said Damagum’s letter instruction signed by the Acting National Chairman of the PDP purportedly on behalf of the Party, the NWC and NEC, appointing Dr. J.Y. Musa (SAN) to represent the Party and all others contradicted the party’s constitution.
The 11 members urged the Supreme Court and everyone concern not to act on the said letter.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the responsibility of appointing external solicitors to handle cases on behalf of the Party is that of the National Legal Adviser pursuant to Article 42 of the Party’s Constitution and not that of any other NWC member.”
“We therefore urge the Supreme Court to disregard the representation of Dr. J. Y. Musa or any other person appointed by the Acting National Chairman on behalf of the Party in any appeal or application emanating from the appeal under reference.”
But PDP spokesperson Ologunagba, noted that their letter is supportrd by section 42 of the Constitution of the party.
The NWC members had been in tango among themselves which had polarised the party leadership leading to the suspension of Damagum and the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba before the intervention of the PDP Governors Forum.
