The power struggle within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) has intensified, further deepening the crisis in the opposition party ahead of its National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The fresh discord stems from the decision of a faction of the NWC to dissolve the Akwa Ibom State chapter and install a caretaker committee.
While National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum and his allies endorsed the move, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu and others voided it, describing the action as unconstitutional.
Anyanwu Rejects Decision
Anyanwu faulted the announcement by National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, accusing him of misleading the Akwa Ibom chapter and the public with what he called a fabricated decision.
He explained that there was no formal sitting of the NWC where the resolution was reached.
According to him, “Any meeting of the NWC presided over by the chairman without prior notice by the national secretary is illegal, null and void. The secretary has the constitutional duty to take notes of the meeting, which was not exercised.”
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In a letter dated October 1, titled “RE: Dissolution of Akwa Ibom State Working Committee,” Anyanwu insisted that the NWC never decided on the matter, stressing that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) has the power to dissolve a state executive.
He maintained that the Akwa Ibom executive remained intact and directed members of the state chapter to continue with their duties in line with the party’s constitution.
Anyanwu, a close ally of former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, has been at odds with Damagum over the direction of the party’s leadership.
Ologunagba Counters
Responding, Ologunagba dismissed Anyanwu’s stance, arguing that the national secretary had exceeded his constitutional powers.
He explained that the 607th NWC meeting was properly convened by the chairman in line with Section 29 of the PDP Constitution, after Anyanwu failed to issue the notice as directed.
According to him, 16 out of 18 NWC members attended the meeting, during which the Akwa Ibom crisis was deliberated upon and the decision to dissolve the state executive taken.
“The national secretary was absent. Decisions were taken, including the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom executives, and I was directed to communicate same. That is what I did,” Ologunagba said.
He accused Anyanwu of promoting personal interest above the collective interest of the PDP, adding: “It is not in the duties of the national secretary to nullify decisions of the NWC simply because he was absent or disagrees personally.”
Reason for Dissolution
Ologunagba explained that the action became necessary because the Akwa Ibom executive was allegedly compromised and openly aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said Governor Umo Eno, who defected to the APC, continued to exercise control over the PDP structure in the state.
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“For us, that was unacceptable. Section 10 (6) of our constitution is clear: no member of the party shall align with other parties or groups to undermine the PDP,” Ologunagba stressed.
Ogidi Defends Caretaker Move
The National Vice Chairman (Southsouth), Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, also defended the decision, saying it was necessary to restore order in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
He said: “Since the governors left, we thought all was well. We found out a few people were taking advantage. The NWC intervened and set up caretaker committees to manage affairs pending resolution. It is an NWC decision that must be respected.”
Wike, Allies Set Demands
Last month, members of the Wike-led bloc met in Abuja and warned that failure to meet their demands could render the planned convention invalid.
The meeting, held at the FCT Minister’s residence, was attended by Wike, Anyanwu, former governors Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Samuel Ortom (Benue), among others.
In a communiqué read by Ortom, the group demanded: Fresh congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra states in line with court judgments, A new Southeast Zonal Congress, Respect for the outcome of the South-south Congress in Calabar, Conduct of Ekiti local government congresses in line with judicial pronouncements, No micro-zoning beyond the NEC-approved general zoning formula, Retention of the national chairmanship in the Northcentral, consistent with the 2021 convention zoning arrangement.
Wike, speaking earlier on television, said the main issue was not the convention venue but unresolved disputes.
“The subject matter is not the venue; the subject matter is: Have you done what you were supposed to do before holding that convention? If not, it may be a setback,” he warned.
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.
