Tension in PDP as Damagum Accuses Anyanwu of Leading Armed Attack on Party Secretariat

National Chairman Umar Damagum accuses suspended Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and loyalists of orchestrating a violent takeover of the PDP national secretariat, allegedly backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a violent turn as the party’s National Chairman, Umar Damagum, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over an alleged invasion of the party’s national secretariat by suspended National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and his loyalists.

In the petition dated November 3, 2025, Damagum accused Anyanwu of leading a group of armed thugs to forcibly break into the PDP headquarters in Abuja in an attempt to impose a factional leadership structure.

According to the petition, Anyanwu, accompanied by his aides—Arthur Bruno, Emmanuel Okoronkwo, and Chidiebere Egwu—stormed the secretariat with thugs armed with guns, machetes, and sticks. The group allegedly unleashed violence on staff and journalists, fired tear gas within the premises, and disrupted ongoing activities.

Several employees were injured in the attack. One female staff member reportedly suffocated due to tear gas inhalation and was resuscitated, while three others—Mr. Terna Tergba, Mrs. Cecilia Ukwayi, and Innocent Ezekiel—were hospitalized for various injuries.

Damagum further alleged that the attackers broke into his office, attempting to install Abdulrahman Mohammed, the suspended Vice Chairman (North Central), as Acting National Chairman. The petition also listed other suspended officials—National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organising Secretary Umaru Bature—as part of the attempted takeover.

The embattled chairman claimed that the invasion was politically motivated and allegedly backed by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, who has been accused of fueling the ongoing factional crisis within the PDP.

As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue an official response to the petition.

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