Opposition lawmakers accuse Damagun, Anyanwu of plotting to unseat Fubara

The Opposition Lawmakers Coalition, under the main Opposition Coalition umbrella, the CUPP, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Umar Iliya Damagum, and the National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, to unseat Governor Similayi Fubara of Rivers State.

The lawmakers accused the duo of plotting with those they termed “the pro-Wike APC elements” in Rivers State to have the legal backing to attempt the removal of Governor Fubara from office.

Spokesperson of the group, Mr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, detailed a series of events that he described as a calculated attempt by Damagum and Anyanwu to weaken the PDP from within and undermine its legal standing in a high-profile court case that will see pro-Wike sacked APC lawmakers gaining legal ground to attempt to force the PDP government out of office.

Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo State, added that Damagun and Anyanwu are opposing the National Legal Adviser, Babatunde Ajibade’s (SAN) move to ensure that the pro-Wike sacked APC lawmakers who decamped from PDP are neutralised and stopped from doing any harm to PDP interests.

Instead, the PDP chairman and secretary are working in favour of the pro-Wike APC sacked lawmakers to help them regain lost legitimacy and make another attempt towards their impossible dream of removing their own PDP Governor Fubara-led Rivers government.

The case, marked PHC/2177/CS/2024, centres on a dispute over the defection of 27 PDP members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023.

Ugochinyere explained that the Rivers State High Court had previously issued an ex parte order on July 8, 2024, restraining key state officials from interacting with the defected lawmakers. However, he alleged that former Governor Nyesom Wike, in what he described as an “anti-party” manoeuvre, retained Dr. J.Y. Musa, SAN, to file an unauthorised appeal against this order, despite opposition from Ajibade, SAN.

“The National Legal Adviser, constitutionally empowered to protect the interests of the PDP, had already moved to withdraw the appeal on July 24, 2024, recognizing its potential harm to the party,” Ugochinyere stated.

“However, in a shocking turn of events, on August 15, 2024, Damagum and Anyanwu sent a letter to the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, dissociating themselves from the withdrawal, effectively undermining the Legal Adviser’s authority.”

The Opposition Coalition lawmakers argue that this action by the party’s leadership is part of a broader scheme to destabilise the PDP in Rivers State and pave the way for the APC’s political ambitions. They claim that this is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of interference by Damagum and Anyanwu in several other legal cases in Abuja and Port Harcourt, all allegedly aimed at weakening the PDP.

Ugochinyere warned of dire consequences if this “plot” is allowed to succeed, including the erosion of internal democracy within the PDP, potential fragmentation of the party, loss of public trust, and significant legal and financial repercussions.

He called for immediate action, including reaffirming the authority of the National Legal Adviser, taking legal steps to restrain the National Chairman and Secretary from further interference, and convening a disciplinary committee to investigate their actions.

“The PDP must stand united in the face of this betrayal,” Ugochinyere urged. “We call on all members of the PDP and well-meaning Nigerians to join us in defending the integrity of our party and ensuring that justice prevails.”

The press conference ended 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.