The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended four of its top national officers over what it described as anti-party activities.
In a statement issued on Saturday, November 1, 2025, the National Working Committee (NWC) said the decision followed an emergency meeting convened in accordance with Sections 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
Those suspended include Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary; Hon. Umar Bature, National Organizing Secretary; Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade, National Legal Adviser; and Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, Deputy National Legal Adviser.
According to the party, the officers have been suspended for one month, pending the outcome of further investigations by the National Disciplinary Committee.
The NWC stated that during this period, the affected officials will not perform any official duties in their respective offices.
The PDP also announced temporary replacements to ensure continuity in administration.
The Deputy National Secretary, Hon. (Arc.) Setonji Koshoedo, will now serve as Acting National Secretary, in line with Section 36(2) of the party’s constitution.
Similarly, the party directed the National Director of Legal Services to oversee the affairs of the Legal Department pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings.
The statement reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to internal discipline and party cohesion, adding that the party would not hesitate to take decisive action against any member found undermining its unity or electoral interests.
This move comes after an Abuja High Court restrained the party from going ahead with its planned national convention slated to hold in Ibadan on November 15 and 16.
Justice James Omotosho gave the order yesterday while ruling in a suit filed to determine whether the party could proceed with its planned national convention.
The case was filed by three PDP officials: Austine Nwachukwu, Imo State chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, Abia State chairman; and Turnah George, the party’s South-South secretary.
Listed as defendants in the suit were the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The plaintiffs, believed to be loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, a vocal critic of the convention, asked the court to stop the event, arguing that the party failed to comply with its own constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act in the build-up to the convention.
Their lawyer told the court that “no congress was conducted in 14 states,” insisting that the issue before the court is whether the defendants violated the law and that it cannot be dismissed as an internal party matter.
The PDP, however, maintained that the suit concerns its internal affairs and therefore falls outside the jurisdiction of the court. The party said the claimants were attempting to destabilise preparations for a legitimate leadership transition process.