The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as its National Secretary, following its landmark 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Monday in Abuja.
Addressing journalists after the session, Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum confirmed the decision and announced that the next NEC meeting — the 101st — will take place on July 23. That gathering is expected to finalise plans for the party’s national convention.
Damagum emphasised the unity displayed at the meeting, saying, “We were all together, and we all agree that Senator Anyanwu will continue to act as National Secretary.” He added that the July meeting would serve to meet Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) requirements for a proper convention: “At that time, we will be able to convene a proper NEC, where I and Senator Anyanwu will sign.”
The PDP has been grappling with significant internal divisions since the 2023 general elections, and the crisis over the position of National Secretary has deepened tensions. The leadership’s letter to INEC on June 24 regarding the role further inflamed the situation.
In a bid to consolidate positions before the NEC, Damagum had called a meeting at Wadata Plaza on Sunday with key allies, including Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Vice Chairman (North West) Senator Bello Gwarzo, and two other NWC members. The group reaffirmed their backing of Anyanwu and endorsed Monday’s NEC meeting.
Later that day, a rival faction led by Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja and others — including National Vice Chairman (South East) Ali Odefa, Acting National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba — held a parallel meeting, insisting that Koshoedo remain as secretary.
This divide reflects a broader power struggle. One camp, supported by Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and a majority of NWC members, firmly rejected Anyanwu’s return. Meanwhile, a rival bloc, aligned with former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike and backed by Governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Adamu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), as well as Damagum and Bature, supported his reinstatement and wanted the NEC meeting delayed.
Police storm PDP secretariat
Tensions escalated when both factions attempted to hold competing meetings at the PDP headquarters. Security agencies, including the police, temporarily blocked access to Wadata Plaza, prompting party stakeholders to regroup at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge for an emergency session. There, leaders resolved to proceed with the 100th NEC meeting, as mandated by the 99th NEC.
By 3 p.m. Monday, PDP leaders returned to the national secretariat to hold the NEC meeting as planned.
Following the session, Damagum emphasised the party’s resilience and ability to manage internal disputes: “To our detractors who thought this meeting would derail or be the end of the party, the beauty of the Peoples Democratic Party is that it knows how to resolve its issues internally and operate freely.”
He pointed to the presence of governors and key leaders as proof of unity and downplayed the earlier turbulence: “All our governors attended the meeting; all members of the NWC were on the same page. You will not be seeing all these press releases and counter-press releases.”
