Opposition Lawmakers Accuse Damagum, Anyanwu of Plot to Dislodge Fubara for Wike

Members of the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition under the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) have accused the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Umar Iliya Damagum, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, of orchestrating a covert plot to undermine the PDP’s interests in an ongoing legal battle in Rivers State. The accusation, made on Saturday, alleges that the two PDP leaders are attempting to sabotage the party’s efforts to retain power in the state.

The coalition, representing opposition lawmakers at the federal level, claims that Damagum and Anyanwu are engaged in a “desperate and shameful” effort to weaken the PDP from within, potentially aiding pro-Wike elements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their bid to unseat the current PDP-led administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, a prominent member of the House of Representatives, detailed what he described as a calculated move by Damagum and Anyanwu to support defected APC lawmakers in their legal battle against the PDP. According to Ugochinyere, this maneuver threatens to destabilize the party and erode its legal standing in a crucial court case involving the defection of 27 PDP members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the APC.

The controversy centers on a case marked PHC/2177/CS/2024, in which the Rivers State High Court had previously issued an ex parte order on July 8, 2024, restraining state officials from interacting with the defected lawmakers. Ugochinyere alleged that former Governor Nyesom Wike, in what he termed an “anti-party” action, retained Dr. J.Y. Musa, SAN, to file an unauthorized appeal against the order—despite opposition from the PDP’s National Legal Adviser, Mr. Ajibade, SAN.

“The National Legal Adviser had already moved to withdraw the appeal on July 24, 2024, recognizing its potential harm to the party,” Ugochinyere explained. “However, on August 15, 2024, Damagum and Anyanwu shockingly dissociated themselves from this withdrawal, undermining the Legal Adviser’s authority.”

The opposition lawmakers contend that this move is part of a broader scheme by Damagum and Anyanwu to destabilize the PDP in Rivers State, allegedly paving the way for the APC to challenge the PDP’s hold on power. They warned that if this plot succeeds, it could lead to the erosion of internal democracy within the PDP, potential fragmentation of the party, and a significant loss of public trust.

Ugochinyere called for urgent action, including reaffirming the authority of the National Legal Adviser, taking legal steps to prevent further interference by the National Chairman and Secretary, and convening a disciplinary committee to investigate their actions.

“The PDP must stand united in the face of this betrayal,” Ugochinyere urged, calling on party members and Nigerians to defend the integrity of the PDP.

The press conference concluded with a pledge from the opposition coalition to continue their fight to protect the PDP from internal and external threats, promising to keep the public informed of any further developments in the case.