Wike backs suspension of PDP Chairman, says party can’t continue with impunity

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has thrown his weight behind the suspension of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Umar Damagum, declaring that the era of impunity within the party must end.

Wike, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, said he supported the decision of the faction loyal to him to suspend Damagum and others, insisting that discipline must be restored to the PDP.

“We cannot continue to allow impunity,” the former Rivers State governor said.

The crisis within the opposition party worsened on Saturday after a faction led by the embattled National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, announced Damagum’s suspension. Anyanwu, who had earlier been suspended by the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), held a press briefing where he declared the suspension of Damagum and five other NWC members.

Those suspended alongside Damagum include Debo Ologunagba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary; Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Chairman (South); Daniel Woyenguikoro, National Financial Secretary; Sulaiman Kadade, National Youth Leader; and Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary.

Wike also took aim at some PDP governors, accusing them of misusing the increased federal allocations under the Tinubu administration to foment division within the party.

“The problem we are having today in the PDP is that the kind of money in the hands of the governors is so much. I praise the President for allowing so much money to go to the states, which has never happened before,” he said.

“But I was thinking this money should be put into the development of our states—not used to scatter a party that has built you and made you who you are today. Where are we headed?” Wike asked.

He maintained that loyalty and accountability must return to the PDP if the party hopes to regain its footing ahead of future elections.