The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday held its much-anticipated 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the party’s national headquarters in Wadata Plaza, Abuja, despite a brief police presence at the venue earlier in the day.
The gathering brought together members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), governors, lawmakers, and other key NEC stakeholders.
In his remarks, Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum clarified that the meeting’s sole agenda was to set a date for a broader NEC session where issues surrounding the party’s convention would be discussed. He explained that this limited focus was agreed upon following prior consultations with PDP governors.
He also called for unity within the party, cautioning members against actions that might tarnish the PDP’s image. “Stop demarketing the party,” Damagum urged.
By the end of the meeting, members settled on July 23 as the date for the next NEC meeting, where broader issues — including those tied to the national convention — would be addressed. It was also resolved that Samuel Anyanwu would remain in his role as National Secretary for now.
The NEC session followed a closed-door meeting earlier that day involving PDP governors at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro. Attendees included Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi (who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum), Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
PDP’s Mohammed slams police disruption
Addressing the media, Governor Mohammed spoke on the police presence at the PDP headquarters, which had temporarily disrupted access. He explained that security agents were deployed to prevent any “miscreants” from causing chaos during the meeting.
Meanwhile, the earlier scheduled BoT meeting was relocated from Wadata Plaza to the Yar’Adua Centre due to what party officials described as security concerns. “The meeting of the Board of Trustees (BoT)… has been moved to Yar’Adua Centre,” the party confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Party leaders sharply criticised the police deployment, with some describing it as intimidation. Reports indicated that BoT members like Bode George and Maina Chiroma were barred from entering the original venue.
Former PDP National Secretary, Umar Tsauri, told Channels Television that officers at the scene said they were acting under “orders from above.”
However, the FCT Police Command denied shutting down the PDP secretariat. Spokesperson Josephine Adeh clarified that officers were only there to maintain peace. “At no time was the Secretariat sealed off by the police,” she said.
Monday’s events come against the backdrop of ongoing internal tensions within the PDP, especially over the party’s leadership structure and the contested office of National Secretary.
Although Damagum recently announced the postponement of the NEC meeting, the National Working Committee (NWC) overruled him and proceeded with the gathering on June 30, arguing that only the NEC itself has the authority to shift such meetings.
At the centre of the party’s leadership row is the battle for the position of National Secretary, claimed by both Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye. Damagum’s move to reinstate Anyanwu has faced stiff resistance from the NWC, escalating the feud into multiple court cases.
Despite a Supreme Court judgment in March, both sides have continued to interpret the ruling to suit their positions. Another case on the matter is scheduled to be heard by the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 22.
