Opposition Reps accuse Damagum, Anyanwu of plotting Fubara’s impeachment

Opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Saturday raised serious allegations against the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagum, and the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

The lawmakers under the aegis of the Opposition Coalition accused the party leaders of a covert plot to sabotage the PDP by aiding defected former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly with legal backing to attempt impeach the Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara out of Office.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the spokesperson and member of the House of Representatives representing Ideato Federal Constituency, Ikenga Ugochinyere, detailed a series of events which he described as a calculated attempt by Damagum and Anyanwu to weaken the PDP from inside and undermine its legal standing in a high-profile court case that would see pro-Wike “sacked APC lawmakers gaining legal ground to attempt to force PDP government out of office.”

The opposition spokesman went further to state that Damagun and Anyanwu were opposing the National Legal Adviser, Kalmadeen Ajibade’s move to ensure that the pro-Wike lawmakers who defected from the PDP were neutralised and stopped from doing any harm to the PDP’s interest, adding that the PDP chairman and secretary were working in favour of the pro-Wike APC lawmakers to help them regain lost legitimacy

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.

The Opposition Coalition lawmakers argued that the action of the party’s leadership was part of a broader scheme to destabilise the PDP in Rivers State and pave the way for the APC’s political ambitions.

Ugochinyere warned of dire consequences if the “plot” was 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. 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,” Ugochinyere added.