Olayiwola Matthew
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended four top national officers over alleged anti-party activities.
Those affected are the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; the National Legal Adviser, Kamal Deen Ajibade (SAN); and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha.
Their suspension, which takes immediate effect, is to last one month, pending further action by the party’s National Disciplinary Committee. During the suspension period, the officers are barred from performing their official functions.
Addressing journalists after the NWC’s emergency meeting at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Saturday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the decision followed a review of recent developments within the party.
“The NWC has reviewed the party’s activities, especially in the recent past, and some decisions were taken. You will recall that on August 8th, 2025, the party issued a reprimand to members over anti-party activities. From then till now, the party reviewed the activities of some members working against the party, and the NWC has reached the following decisions today,” Ologunagba said.
He explained that the suspended officials’ actions contravened the provisions of the PDP Constitution.
“These anti-party activities, as contained in the constitution of the party, vis-à-vis the activities of those individuals, are what we have identified as majorly constituting the offences under our constitution,” he said.
“Anybody who breaches any part of the constitution or manifesto, or says or does anything under Section 58 — any member that says or does anything that will bring the party to disrepute, hatred or contempt, disobeys or neglects lawful directives of the party or its organs, or engages in any conduct likely to cause disaffection among members or disrupt the business of the party — such actions attract sanctions.”
He added that the NWC, after deliberation, reached the following resolutions:
“The National Legal Adviser, Kamal Ajibade SAN, is suspended for 30 days and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee of the party.
“The Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, is also suspended for 30 days in line with the constitution and referred to the disciplinary committee as may be necessary. During the period of suspension, they cease to function in the capacity of their respective offices.
“The National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature, is suspended for one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee.
“The National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, is suspended for one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee. In the case of the National Secretary, pursuant to Section 36(2) of the Constitution as amended in 2017, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Arch. Setonji Koshedo, shall act as National Secretary.”
Ologunagba added that during the suspension of the legal adviser and deputy legal adviser, the Director of Legal Services has been directed to oversee the department’s activities.
“The Director of Legal Services has been empowered and directed to oversee the department during the period of suspension,” he said.