The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened further yesterday as the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) backed 11 National Working Committee (NWC) members, insisting that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting be held on June 30 as scheduled.
This contradicts the stance of the party’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, who had, on Wednesday, announced the postponement of the NEC meeting to a date yet to be determined. Damagum had also declared the reinstatement of the embattled National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
The BoT, in a statement by its chairman and former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, described Damagum’s actions as a “gross violation of party constitutional order,” declaring them null and void.
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“The unilateral cancellation of the 100th NEC meeting and pronouncements by the acting national chairman are a gross violation of the party’s constitutional order,” the statement read.
It added that the NEC remains the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the national convention, and no individual or group has the authority to cancel its resolution.
“By virtue of Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC at its 99th meeting held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to hold its 100th meeting on Monday, June 30, 2025, is binding on all organs and members of the PDP,” the statement continued.
“To this effect, being a NEC decision, no organ, group, or individual has the power or competence to cancel, adjust, or postpone the 100th NEC meeting already scheduled by NEC. It is therefore not within the remit or authority of the acting national chairman to override a collective decision of the NEC. Such conduct amounts to an affront to the constitutional authority of NEC and the collective will of our party.”
On the status of the national secretary, the BoT also rejected Damagum’s reinstatement of Anyanwu, insisting it contradicts the party’s constitution, a Supreme Court judgement and a prior NEC resolution.
“The decision of the NWC at its 600th meeting directing the deputy national secretary to act as national secretary remains valid, having not been set aside by the NWC or NEC. The attempt by Amb. Damagum to overturn that decision is a gross abuse of office,” the BoT said.
It concluded that the NEC meeting must hold as scheduled, urging members to disregard any conflicting directives.
“The 100th NEC meeting shall proceed as scheduled on Monday, June 30, 2025. All members of NEC are duly advised to disregard any contradictory notice or statement regarding the meeting,” he said.
“The deputy national secretary, Arc. Setonji Koshoedo, remains the acting national secretary of the PDP pending any contrary decision formally taken and communicated by the appropriate organ of the party.
“All party members are advised to be guided by the supremacy of the PDP Constitution and resist any attempt to drag the party into an avoidable crisis.”
When contacted for his reaction to the latest developments, Damagun told one of our correspondents that he would return the telephone call, but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.
Similarly, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum and appeared alongside Damagum at the Wednesday’s press briefing, could not be reached for comment. Calls and messages to his media aide, Gidado Mukhtar, were also not returned.
NWC split in favour of Makinde’s camp
The deepening crisis has sharply divided key organs of the party, including its NWC, BoT and Governors’ Forum, into factios aligned with either Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde or the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Both leaders are battling for control of the party ahead of the 2027 presidential election. While the Makinde’s camp is pushing for the removal of Senator Anyanwu and insisting the June 30 NEC meeting proceed, the Wike’s camp supports Anyanwu’s reinstatement and the postponement of the NEC gathering.
Sources within the party told Daily Trust that Wike, despite remaining in the PDP, is actively working for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In contrast, Makinde is believed to be positioning himself as a potential presidential candidate under the PDP banner in 2027.
Wike and Makinde were allies under the G5 governors’ bloc that opposed the 2023 presidential candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Within the NWC, 11 members are reportedly aligning with Makinde and are determined to proceed with the NEC meeting as scheduled. This group is led by Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, and includes Hon. Setonji Koshoedo, the Deputy National Secretary, who is also the acting National Secretary; Hon. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer; Sir Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, National Auditor and Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary.
Others are Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary; High Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Hon. Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South-South); Hon. Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader; Senator Hayatu Bello Gwarzo, National Vice Chairman (North West) and Hon. Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
On the other hand, Wike/Damagum’s faction includes Senator Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and National Youth Leader Suleiman Kadade.
Also aligned with Damagum and Wike are six elected deputies of the NWC, who have criticised the opposing camp as “merchants of instability who thrive on chaos.”
The deputies—Hon. Timothy Osadolo (Youth), Hajia Maryam (Women), Ibrahim Abdullahi, Esq. (Publicity), Hon. D.U. Kamale (Finance), Okechukwu Osuoha, Esq. (Legal), and David Eneh Chubby (Treasurer)—issued a joint statement urging reconciliation.
“We have advised all parties to come down from their high horses and jaw-jaw rather than war-war. A war between brothers and sisters has no victor; everyone loses,” they said.
“As custodians of the trust of the Nigerian people, who believe in the PDP to rescue and rebuild Nigeria, we must be seen to uphold the law in our words and actions. A decision has already been taken in the overall best interest of the PDP. The party caucus will be meeting for ratification.”
The statement commended Damagum’s leadership and praised ongoing efforts to convene an expanded caucus meeting on June 30 involving all major organs and stakeholders, following interactions with INEC.
“We salute Amb. Illya Damagum and the NWC for consistently obeying court judgements, including the Supreme Court ruling. It shows a commitment to the rule of law.
“We also call on all stakeholders within the party to attend the June 30 meeting so we can collectively chart the way forward as one family,” the statement added.
Why Saraki’s reconciliation committee backed Anyanwu’s return – Sources
Meanwhile, sources close to the reconciliation committee chaired by former Senate President Bukola Saraki have revealed that the decision to support the reinstatement of Senator Anyanwu as PDP national secretary was aimed at preventing the party’s total collapse.
According to a top source familiar with the committee’s internal deliberations, the move was strategic, not necessarily an endorsement of Anyanwu, but a means to ensure that the party’s decision-making processes remain constitutionally valid.
“Let me tell you what happened,” the source said. “The committee realised there was no way around the secretaryship crisis if the party was to survive. The Supreme Court judgement on the matter was vague, but INEC has already interpreted it to mean that Anyanwu remains the recognised national secretary.
“For the party to survive this crisis, key decision-making bodies like the NEC and National Convention must meet. And for such meetings to be valid, INEC must be duly notified. For INEC to consider a notice valid, it must be jointly signed by the national chairman and the recognised national secretary.
“That is why the committee decided that Anyanwu must be reinstated, if only to enable a properly convened NEC meeting where his position can be deliberated. Those opposed to him can mobilise for his removal, while his supporters can defend him. In the end, the majority will carry the day, even as the minority have their say.”
The source stressed that without such compromise, the PDP risked being disqualified from major elections, including the 2027 general election and the upcoming FCT polls.
“So, except members don’t want the PDP on the ballot in 2027, we must find a way forward. It’s a give-and-take situation. Both sides must be willing to meet halfway—reinstate Anyanwu and agree to a NEC meeting. Even the FCT elections are almost out of reach because any document not signed by Anyanwu will not be recognised by INEC,” the source, who asked not to be named, explained.
INEC explains position on NEC meeting validity
When contacted, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, clarified the commission’s position on the legal necessity of its presence and recognition in party affairs.
He said while INEC’s attendance at party meetings may not always be mandatory, its monitoring of statutory meetings such as NEC sessions, especially those where major decisions like nominations or leadership elections are made, is required by law.
“There are provisions for this in the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022,” he stated.
“Every registered political party in Nigeria is required to give INEC a 21-day notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of merger or electing members of its executive committees or other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective office.
“Failure of a political party to notify the Commission shall render the convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for such purposes invalid,” Oyekanmi said, citing Section 82 of the Electoral Act.
Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act reads:
“Every registered political party shall give the Commission at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of merger and electing members of its executive committees or other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified under this Act.”
He also referenced INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties (2022), particularly Part 2, Article 12, which outlines statutory notices for meetings:
“12. (1) Every political party shall give the Commission at least 21 days’ notice, through a dedicated portal created for that purpose by the Commission, of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of merger and electing members of its national executive committees or other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any of the elective offices specified in the Electoral Act 2022. A hard copy of the notice may be submitted to the Commission through a registered mail.
“(2) The notice shall indicate the purpose, venue, date, time, and mode (whether virtual or in-person) of the convention, congress, conference, or meeting.
“(3) The national chairman and national secretary of the political party shall jointly sign the notice and submit the same to the Commission.”
Oyekanmi further cited Article 14 of the same guidelines, which requires INEC to monitor compliance during such meetings.
“With regard to the conduct of conventions, congresses, conferences, and meetings, the Commission shall deploy monitors to ensure political parties comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, these Regulations and Guidelines, and the internal constitution of each political party,” he said.
Court sets Sept 22 for fresh hearing on secretary tussle
In a related development, a Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a fresh hearing for September 22 in the suit over the authentic National Secretary of the party.
Justice Mohammed Umar on Thursday adjourned the matter for a definite hearing—covering all pending motions—following an agreement by the parties.
The case, appearing before Justice Umar for the first time, had previously been set for judgement by Justice Inyang Ekwo. However, the embattled National Secretary, Senator Anyanwu, filed an application to amend his originating processes.
Anyanwu had initially sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, as first and second defendants.
In the ex parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/254/2025, dated and filed on February 13, Anyanwu, through his counsel Ken Njemanze (SAN), sought an interim injunction restraining INEC from accepting, acting on, or giving effect to any correspondence from the PDP not signed by him, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
He also sought an order restraining Damagum from sending any correspondence to INEC on behalf of the PDP without his countersignature.
After hearing arguments from the parties, Justice Ekwo had fixed March 25 for judgement.
However, on the scheduled judgement date, Anyanwu filed a fresh application seeking to amend the originating process to correct the issues for determination.
Following this, the court adjourned to May 19 to hear the motion, which was opposed by the defendants.
Subsequently, following applications for joinder, the court added the PDP and Mr. Udeh-Okoye as third and fourth defendants. It also joined the party’s National Vice Chairman (Southeast), Ali Odefa, and Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, as fifth and sixth defendants, respectively.
The case was later reassigned to Justice Umar for fresh determination.
Recall that the Supreme Court recently ruled that courts lack jurisdiction over the internal affairs of political parties.
Additional reports by Abbas Jimoh & John Chuks Azu
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