Confusion has gripped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as internal wrangling intensifies over the fate of its rescheduled 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the ongoing tussle over the position of National Secretary.
The crisis deepened following Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum’s controversial move to cancel the NEC meeting and reinstate Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary. This decision directly contradicts an earlier NEC resolution and has sparked widespread opposition within the party’s ranks.
The party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Working Committee (NWC) insist the NEC meeting, originally scheduled for June 30 must proceed. They argue that the 99th NEC meeting had deferred the resolution of the secretary dispute to the next NEC, and Damagum’s unilateral actions violate the party’s constitution.
The issue has split the party into factions. Supporters of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike back Anyanwu, while Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s camp supports Acting Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, with Sunday Udeh-Okoye also floated as a long-term replacement.
Tensions escalated after the Supreme Court, in March 2025, declined to resolve the dispute, classifying it as an internal party matter.
A PDP leader aligned with Damagum defended the move, citing the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) demand for the National Secretary’s signature for FCT election preparations. However, opponents argue Damagum’s reinstatement of Anyanwu and cancellation of the NEC meeting are unconstitutional.
BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara denounced Damagum’s actions, stating that only NEC PDP’s highest decision-making body outside the National Convention can decide the matter. He reaffirmed that the June 30 NEC meeting must hold and Koshoedo remains the acting secretary, per the NWC’s decision.
“The attempt by Amb. Damagum to overturn that decision is a gross abuse of office. The BoT, being the conscience of the Party, will not sit by while impunity undermines our internal democracy.”
Party chieftain Chief Bode George also weighed in, rejecting claims that Wike controls the PDP. In an Arise TV interview, he described the assertion as “a fallacy,” emphasizing that PDP is not a personal enterprise.
“Wike has contributed, yes, but to say he owns the party is impossible. The PDP is not like the APC, which is seen as owned by one individual,” he stated.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned to September 22 the hearing on a suit filed by Anyanwu seeking to validate his role as National Secretary. The court is expected to address multiple applications, including jurisdictional challenges raised by the PDP and other defendants.
As the party prepares for its national convention in August, stakeholders warn that continued infighting could erode public confidence and jeopardize the PDP’s role as Nigeria’s main opposition force.
