The ongoing leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a violent turn as Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, alleging that suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, led an armed group to forcibly take over the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
In the petition, dated November 3, 2025, and addressed to the IGP, Damagum alleged that Anyanwu, alongside the suspended Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, and the National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, stormed the PDP headquarters with armed thugs wielding guns, knives, cutlasses, and sticks. The group reportedly fired tear gas and physically assaulted staff and journalists present at the scene.
According to the document, three staff members — Mr. Terna Tergba, Mrs. Cecilia Ukwayi, and Innocent Ezekiel — sustained injuries and were hospitalized, while a female staffer collapsed due to tear gas inhalation and had to be revived.
The PDP leadership claimed the attackers attempted to install Abdulrahman Mohammed as the party’s acting national chairman by force and threatened members of the National Working Committee (NWC). Witnesses allegedly overheard Anyanwu asserting to the FCT Police Commissioner that he had the support of the FCT Minister and the police.
Damagum further accused the FCT Police Command of complicity, stating that officers at the scene failed to intervene and instead aided in dispersing staff during the invasion. The petition urged the IGP to hold Anyanwu, Abdulrahman, the FCT Minister, and the FCT Police Commissioner accountable for assault, threats to life, and disruption of lawful political activities.
Describing the incident as a “grave assault on democracy and public order,” Damagum called for a full investigation, submitting photo and video evidence of the alleged attack.
The incident occurred as the crisis within the PDP intensified. On Monday, heavy security was observed at the party’s headquarters when Abdulrahman Mohammed, backed by Anyanwu’s faction, assumed office as acting national chairman following the purported suspension of Damagum and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba.
This move came after Damagum’s faction had earlier suspended Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and other principal officers over alleged misconduct. Anyanwu’s group responded swiftly, announcing the suspension of Damagum, Ologunagba, and four others, deepening the division within the opposition party.
The escalating power tussle has raised serious concerns among party members and political observers about the future stability of Nigeria’s main opposition party.
