Pro-Wike PDP Faction Writes Electoral Commission INEC To Confirm Damagum’s Suspension, Introduce New Chairman

As the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deepened, the embattled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the suspension of National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Illya Damagum.

This was contained in an acknowledgement copy of the letter signed by Senator Anyanwu, as seen by SaharaReporters on Monday evening.

In the letter dated November 3, 2025, titled: “Resolutions of the PDP NWC Meeting,” Anyanwu’s faction informed INEC of the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman as the Acting National Chairman of PDP, following Damagum’s suspension.

The letter, addressed to the INEC chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, requested that the commission recognises Abdulrahman in his new capacity. 

The letter partly read: “After a meeting of the PDP NWC held on November 1st 2025, it was resolved among other issues that Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, the Vice Chairman North Central, in line with the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been appointed as the Acting National Chairman to replace the suspended National Chairman Amb. Umar Illya Damagum. 

“This appointment is in accordance with the party’s constitution and we kindly request that all necessary steps be taken to recognise him in his new capacity

“We would appreciate your prompt attention and response to this decision,” it read.

The development comes on the heels of a factional National Working Committee meeting that suspended Damagum and National Secretary Anyanwu over allegations of anti-party activities.

The crisis within the PDP has been escalating, with various factions vying for control and the party’s leadership struggling to maintain stability. 

Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, recently attributed the party’s woes to poor leadership and a lack of cohesion, calling on the new leadership to promote inclusiveness and dialogue.

The PDP’s internal conflicts have raised concerns about the party’s ability to function effectively as Nigeria’s main opposition party.