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Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has fractured yet again, with a fresh faction emerging Saturday and announcing the suspension of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and several top National Working Committee (NWC) members.

The rebel faction, led by National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu and reportedly aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, declared the party’s North-Central Vice Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, as Acting National Chairman.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Anyanwu accused Damagum of incompetence, financial misconduct, and disobedience to court orders — allegations that, if upheld, could further deepen the party’s long-running internal turmoil.

“We decided to suspend the National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, for incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgment,” Anyanwu said.

“He has been suspended for one month and should face the Disciplinary Committee.”

Also suspended were National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyenguikoro, National Youth Leader Sulaiman Kadade, and Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo.

Anyanwu accused the suspended officials of issuing unauthorized statements, indulging in financial impropriety, and undermining party structures. Each, he said, must face the party’s Disciplinary Committee within 30 days.

“All of them will be sent to the Disciplinary Committee to show cause why they should not be expelled,” he declared.

The suspension move signals a significant escalation in the power struggle within the PDP, further fracturing the party ahead of key political contests and intensifying the battle between forces loyal to Wike and those aligned with other power blocs.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no immediate response from the Damagum-led leadership.

Analysts say the development marks yet another destabilizing episode for a party still struggling to recover from its 2023 electoral defeat and unify its ranks, raising fresh questions about the PDP’s cohesion and prospects as Nigeria’s foremost opposition platform.