The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is embroiled in a deepening crisis following a fierce disagreement between Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike over the scheduling of the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
Makinde’s faction, which includes Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), 11 National Working Committee (NWC) members, and several party chieftains, insists that the NEC meeting must proceed as planned on June 30. This group also opposes Anyanwu’s return to the National Secretary position.
Conversely, Wike’s allies, comprising Governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Adamu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), advocate for Anyanwu’s reinstatement and the postponement of the NEC meeting.
This division intensified just a day after Damagum led senior party officials to a fact-finding meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. During a press conference at the PDP secretariat, Damagum announced the reinstatement of Senator Anyanwu as National Secretary and declared the postponement of the 100th NEC meeting, describing the decision as difficult but supported by the majority of party members. Okay.ng reports that this announcement has sparked significant controversy within the party.
In response, 11 of the 19 NWC members rejected Anyanwu’s reinstatement and reaffirmed their commitment to holding the NEC meeting on June 30. The PDP has been grappling with internal conflicts since losing power in 2015, including leadership disputes, defections, and unresolved congress issues.
To manage the turmoil, Setonji Koshoedo was appointed acting National Secretary. However, a fact-finding committee led by Governor Kefas Agbu found that INEC still officially recognizes Anyanwu as the legitimate National Secretary. The 99th NEC had scheduled the 100th NEC for June 30, and Damagum had notified INEC via a letter dated May 30. INEC rejected this letter, citing the PDP’s internal rules requiring joint signatures from both the National Chairman and National Secretary.
PDP’s National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba stated that INEC’s role is limited to acknowledging party notifications and does not extend to controlling internal affairs. Damagum later distanced the party from Ologunagba’s comments, calling them personal opinions.
Damagum, flanked by key party figures including Governor Bala Mohammed and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, announced that an expanded National Caucus meeting would replace the NEC meeting on June 30. He emphasized, “Anyanwu will resume as the National Secretary. I think that’s the most important thing.”
He described the decisions as necessary sacrifices for the party’s survival, citing the upcoming Federal Capital Territory election and the need to comply with INEC’s regulations. National Organising Secretary Umar Bature reinforced that Anyanwu’s reinstatement aligns with a Supreme Court judgment.
Meanwhile, six national officers of the PDP welcomed Anyanwu’s return, calling it a victory for the party and urging unity ahead of the June 30 caucus meeting.
However, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Wike ally criticized Damagum’s directive for Anyanwu to resume, calling it unauthorized and condemning the party’s visit to INEC as “ignorant and shameful.”
The 11 NWC members countered Damagum’s claims, insisting the NEC meeting would proceed as scheduled and that no individual or group can override NEC resolutions under the PDP constitution.
Party elder Chief Bode George dismissed suggestions that Anyanwu’s reinstatement signaled Wike’s dominance, urging calm and emphasizing that NEC decisions are final. Former Rivers State Assembly leader Dr. Chidi Lloyd hailed the NWC’s move as a victory for democracy and called for unity to prepare for the 2027 elections.
The PDP remains deeply divided as it navigates internal power struggles and prepares for critical elections ahead.
