Opposition members of the House of Representatives accused Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Umar Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu of plotting to oust Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Coalition spokesperson, Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere, during a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, claimed that this was a calculated attempt by Damagum and Anyanwu to weaken the PDP from within.

He also alleged that there were plans to undermine the legal position of the PDP in a high-profile court case aimed at providing legal means for the sacked pro-Wike MPs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to attempt to oust the PDP government.

The MPs noted that Damagun and Anyanwu opposed the move by the party’s National Legal Adviser to ensure that the pro-Wike APC MPs who have deserted the PDP are prevented from harming the interests of the PDP.

The opposition MPs insisted that the PDP chairman and secretary would lobby the pro-Wike MPs to help them regain their lost legitimacy and make another attempt to achieve their impossible dream of removing Fubara.

Ugochinyere recalled that the case, marked PHC/2177/CS/2024, concerns a dispute over the defection of 27 PDP members of the Rivers State House of Representatives to the APC on December 11, 2023.

He explained that the Rivers State High Court had already issued an interim injunction on July 8, 2024, prohibiting key state officials from dealing with the defected lawmakers.

Ugochinyere noted: “The National Legal Adviser, who is constitutionally empowered to protect the interests of the PDP, had already requested the withdrawal of the appeal on July 24, 2024, realising the potential damage to the party,” Ugochinyere explained.

“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 distancing themselves from the withdrawal, thereby de facto undermining the authority of the legal counsel.”

“This action by the party leadership is part of a larger plan to destabilise the PDP in Rivers State and pave the way for the political ambitions of the APC.

“They claim that this is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of interference by Damagum and Anyanwu in several other court cases in Abuja and Port Harcourt, all allegedly aimed at weakening the PDP.

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

Efforts to speak to Anyanwu and Damagum were unsuccessful.

Adedayo Akinwale

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