By Rafiyat Sadiq
Confusion continues to trail the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the party struggles to hold its rescheduled 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting amid an internal dispute over the position of national secretary and the powers of the acting national chairman.
The crisis intensified after the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, moved to convert the planned NEC meeting into an expanded caucus meeting and reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s national secretary.
This decision has drawn strong opposition from members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Working Committee (NWC), who insist the NEC meeting must proceed as planned on June 30, 2025. The two organs maintain that the 99th NEC meeting resolved that the matter concerning the party’s national secretary must be addressed at the next NEC.
Leaders from both factions have accused Damagum of overstepping his authority and worsening internal divisions. Factions aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have thrown their support behind Anyanwu, while supporters of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde have backed Acting National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo and prefer Sunday Udeh-Okoye as a long-term replacement.
The leadership tussle followed a Supreme Court ruling on March 21, 2025, in the case of Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu v. Aniagwu Emmanuel & 3 Ors. (SC/CV/18/2025), which treated the matter as an internal party affair. The verdict did little to ease the tension.
Damagum’s unilateral decision to reinstate Anyanwu and halt the NEC meeting has infuriated several party leaders, who argue the move violates the party’s constitution and undermines the authority of its highest decision-making organ.
Speaking to Vanguard, PDP Southeast Vice Chairman, High Chief Ali Odefa, said regional leaders were still consulting. “You will hear from us. We are yet to meet. When we meet, you will hear from us,” he said.
Meanwhile, a PDP member supporting Damagum defended the decision, citing urgency over meeting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) requirements.
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“I’m baffled by the resistance to Anyanwu’s reinstatement. INEC made it clear that without the national secretary’s signature, our FCT election preparations are stalled, risking our credibility as an opposition party,” the member said.
But an NWC member, who was among 11 officials opposing Damagum’s actions, criticised the decision. “Damagum’s unilateral reinstatement of Anyanwu is a blatant violation of the PDP constitution and an affront to the NEC’s authority. The NEC must resolve this issue. No individual, no matter his position, can override its mandate,” the official said.
A party insider also warned that the ongoing crisis could be damaging. “This crisis is tearing the PDP apart at a time Nigeria needs a strong opposition. It’s clearly a power struggle between Wike’s camp and Makinde’s faction, with Anyanwu caught in the middle. If the NEC meeting doesn’t unify us, we risk further weakening the party,” he said.
Efforts to reach the party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, were unsuccessful as of press time.
In a formal response, the BoT accused Damagum of overreaching his powers and attempting to usurp decisions properly reserved for NEC. BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, said Damagum’s move had no legal standing.
“By virtue of Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC at its 99th meeting to hold its 100th meeting on Monday, 30th June, 2025, is binding on all organs and members of the PDP,” Wabara said.
He stated that the appointment of Arc. Setonji Koshoedo as acting national secretary remained valid and warned against further acts of impunity.
“The BoT, being the conscience of the party, cannot stand idly by and watch the PDP descend into chaos through unilateralism and disregard for procedure,” he said.
The BoT reaffirmed three resolutions: the NEC meeting will proceed as scheduled on June 30, 2025; Koshoedo remains acting national secretary; and all members must respect the constitution.
Bode George: “PDP Is Not Wike’s Personal Property”
Also on Thursday, party chieftain Bode George dismissed suggestions that Minister Nyesom Wike controls the PDP. Speaking on Arise Television’s “Morning Show”, George said the notion was “a fallacy”.
“Wike has contributed his quota, yes, but to say he owns the party is impossible,” he stated. George contrasted the PDP’s internal structure with that of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he described as a party “owned by one individual”.
He called on elders of the party to intervene in the crisis, stating that “no organisation is without internal challenges”, but the PDP must demonstrate maturity in resolving its issues.
Court Adjourns Hearing on Anyanwu’s Suit
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday adjourned hearing in a suit filed by Senator Anyanwu seeking to validate his claim to the position of national secretary. Justice Mohammed Umar set the next hearing for September 22, 2025.
All the defendants, including the PDP and its acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, challenged the competence of the suit and the court’s jurisdiction. Counsel for Anyanwu, Mrs U.C. Njamanze-Aku, also filed a motion to amend the originating summons.
Other defendants in the case include Sunday Udeh-Okoye, National Vice Chairman (Southeast) Ali Odefa, Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Anyanwu is seeking a stay of execution on earlier judgements that removed him from office and recognised Udeh-Okoye as the national secretary.
The PDP’s leadership crisis continues to unfold as the party prepares for its national convention in August.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.