Fresh cracks have emerged within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following contradictory instructions from its National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, over the conduct of state congresses in three states.
In a letter dated September 25, 2025, Damagum informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the party’s scheduled congresses in Cross River, Plateau, and Kebbi States initially fixed for Saturday, September 27 had been postponed. He cited “unforeseen circumstances and operational logistic challenges,” and assured that a new date would be communicated later.
“The National Working Committee of our great party hereby postpones the state congresses in Cross River, Plateau, and Kebbi States. A new date will be communicated to the Commission,” the letter partly read.
However, less than 24 hours later, Anyanwu issued a counter-letter to INEC dated September 26, insisting that the congresses would go ahead as originally scheduled, dismissing the chairman’s earlier directive.
“This is to confirm to the Commission that the Congress will hold as originally scheduled and has not been postponed. The earlier letter signed by the National Chairman should be ignored,” Anyanwu wrote.
He further warned that any communication to INEC without the signatures of both the National Chairman and National Secretary should not be recognised, stressing that the exercises in the three states “shall hold as earlier scheduled.”
The development highlights the widening leadership crisis within the PDP as rival factions continue to clash ahead of its elective congress and the 2027 general elections.
