The leadership crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn on Monday, with faction loyal to the Federal capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyeson Wike, taking charge of the affairs at the Wadata House national secretariat of the party, after a clash with the Umar Damagun led faction of the National Working Committee (NWC).

Heavy security was deployed at the national headquarters of the party in the early hours of Monday, in Abuja, as former Vice Chairman, North Central, Abdulrahman Mohammed, assumed his role as the party’s acting national chairman.

Earlier, Mohammed and his supporters gathered at the FCT office of the PDP, where he addressed the crowd, confirming that he would be taking over as acting national chairman.

Mohammed was declared acting national chairman by the Samuel Anyanwu-led pro Wike National Working Committee (NWC), following their suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

Supporters accompany Abdrahman Mohammed as he makes his way into the PDP secretariat in Abuja on Monday, November 3, 2025.

The crisis in the opposition party escalated over the weekend as the national chairman, Umar Damagum, along with some members of the National Working Committee (NWC), announced the suspension of the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and other principal officers.

In a swift counter, Samuel Anyanwu led a separate faction of the NWC to suspend Damagun, National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and four other principal officers of the party, deepening the ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP.

While Samuel Anyanwu-led acting national chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed resumed at the PDP national headquarters on Monday, Damagum and members of the NWC loyal to him were conspicuously absent.

Abdulrahman Mohammed, the Samuel Anyanwu-led acting national chairman, addressed journalists at the PDP national headquarters.

Trouble started when the mainstream camp, led by the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, announced the suspension of four NWC members loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The affected officers are the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN; and Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha.

In a swift reaction, however, the suspended party chiefs, led by Anyanwu, gathered at a different location and announced the suspension of Damagum and other members of NWC.

Other officers purportedly suspended by the Anyanwu camp, are: the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba;National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro; National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade; and Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo.

Anyanwu, who addressed journalists on behalf of the group, announced the PDP National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the Acting National Chairman.

The Damagum-led camp said Anyanwu and the other party officers were suspended for alleged anti-party activities, for which they would be made to appear at the party’s Disciplinary Committee.

Damagum said Anyanwu and others were suspended pursuant to the provision of sections 58 and 59 of its constitution (as amended in 2017).

The party said the decision was arrived at after an emergency meeting of the NWC at the party’s national secretariat.

Damagun, Ologunagba and others, in their own faction, were not on ground at the Wadata House, national headquarters of PDP.

Also addressing journalists at the legacy house in Maitama, the acting chairman said he was in the legacy house to see for himself and ensured that party constitution and stakeholders will be obeyed.

He, therefore, said he is closing down the activities in the legacy house in order to pave the way for everyone who is interested in any political office within the party.

Speaking to journalists at the office, Abdulrahman promised to unite and reposition the party in preparation for the next general election.

He also assured members of his commitment to work diligently for the party’s progress.

“We are ready to work in the interest of our dear party,” he said.