Factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were embroiled in a heated clash yesterday over the “warning letters” issued by the camp of Ambassador Umar Damagum to two members of the National Working Committee (NWC)—the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Organising Secretary, Capt. Umar Bature.
Commenting on the deepening division within the party, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, declared that the PDP was in a terminal coma with no sign of recovery.
The two letters, dated September 30, were sent to the party officers by a section of the NWC, advising them to desist from alleged anti-party activities. The officers were accused of engaging in conduct that had brought the party into public disrepute, hatred, and contempt, in violation of the PDP constitution.
Other alleged offences listed included associating with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its administration, disobedience and refusal to comply with lawful directives of the party, and behaviour capable of causing division and disharmony within various party chapters.
Those who signed the letters included factional National Chairman Damagum, Chief Ali Odefa — whose claim to the position of National Vice Chairman (Southeast) was invalidated by a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday — and Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, Zonal Caretaker Chairman (Southsouth), whose caretaker committee was dissolved by the same court. The court upheld the zonal congress that elected Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike’s ally, Chief Dan Orbih, as the Southsouth leader of the PDP.
Abdulrahman Mohammed, identified as the chairman of the Wike/Anyanwu faction, also allegedly signed the letter.
However, Anyanwu and Bature dismissed the letters, describing them as an afterthought designed to create a false impression and justify what they called an irrational and baseless suspension.
“It is nonsense. Can anyone there dare give me a warning letter?” Anyanwu queried.
Also citing the party’s constitution, Bature argued that none of the alleged signatories had the authority to issue warning letters or suspend any member of the NWC.
He said: “Not at all. They just want to try to justify the nonsense they did. They don’t have any power to write such or to suspend anybody.”
Fayose, addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, lamented that the party had lost its essence and direction, adding that its leaders were acting as “undertakers” presiding over its demise.
The former governor decried that the PDP, which once governed Nigeria for 16 years, had now become a shadow of itself due to internal crises, leadership failure, lack of ideological vision, and selfish interests.
He said the current state of the party offers no visible hope of revival, given the extensive damage caused by its leadership.
He said: “There is no hope of PDP coming back for now. Even the captains of the ship are jumping from one bed to another. Who will hold the party together? The current NWC are undertakers who have come to bury the PDP. The governors are leaving, leaders are defecting. Where are the pillars holding the party?”
Fayose compared the PDP’s condition to that of a patient on life support, maintaining that only radical surgery could restore vitality to the party and prevent its total collapse.
He expressed doubt about any immediate recovery, noting that the party’s leaders appeared indifferent to its deteriorating situation.
Fayose said: “The PDP is in comatose, under intensive life support. Until someone responds to treatment, you can’t say there’s hope. But as it is now, there’s no sign of life.”
The former governor said the suspension of Damagum and the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Abdurahman as the acting national chairman marked another phase in the PDP’s internal crisis. He warned that unless the new leadership acted swiftly to reconcile the warring factions, the party risked becoming permanently irrelevant.
He accused Damagum of manipulating his way into office and steering the party into disarray, describing his suspension as “long overdue and good riddance to bad rubbish.”
Fayose added: “Damagum caused so much confusion everywhere. He was incompetent and manipulated the process to become chairman. His suspension is in order, and I can assure you that he will go the way of Iyorchia Ayu.”
The former governor called on Abdurahman to unify aggrieved members, conduct state congresses as directed by the courts, and organise a national convention in accordance with the party’s constitution.
He emphasised: “The party needs a leader who can reunite everybody at this particular time. You never can tell. You can find a doctor in Abdurahman, who is willing to turn the tables around for the party. But as it stands, the PDP is in terminal comatose without hope of survival.”
Fayose criticised the ongoing blame game among members, saying it was time to end accusations and focus on genuine efforts to rebuild the party.
The former governor insisted that instead of blaming one another, sincere and dedicated leaders should focus their energy on reviving the PDP and restoring its lost glory.
He added: “The problem has gone beyond who caused it. Even our presidential and vice-presidential candidates in 2023 have left the party. Governors have left. What is left is the carcass of the body of a dead man.”
