The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is bracing for another round of crucial discussions as the party’s elected governors have called for an emergency meeting to address ongoing crises threatening the party’s unity and direction.
The meeting is set to take place in Asaba, Delta State, on Friday, January 31, and will run through to Saturday, February 1, with the aim of tackling various internal challenges.
The call for the meeting follows a chaotic Board of Trustees (BoT) session held on Wednesday, January 29, in Abuja, which descended into disorder after supporters of Senator Samuel Anyanwu reportedly attacked former PDP Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye. This incident highlighted the deep divisions within the party, particularly concerning the dispute over the position of National Secretary.
The acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, speaking to members of the BoT, acknowledged that the party’s current troubles stem from leaders who should be fostering unity.
He also vowed to ensure that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, requested by the PDP Governors Forum and other party organs, would proceed in February as scheduled.
A senior member of the National Working Committee (NWC), who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the assault on Ude-Okoye by Anyanwu’s supporters was a source of significant discontent during the BoT meeting.
This dispute is just one aspect of the broader crisis engulfing the PDP since the 2023 elections, with accusations against Damagum—an ally of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike—of exacerbating party divisions.
The meeting convened by the PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, is expected to address key issues including the urgent need for an NEC meeting, preparations for zonal congresses, the ongoing National Secretary dispute, and a report from Damagum on the party’s current situation.
Damagum also pointed out that the crisis within the NWC is being fueled by leaders who are more interested in personal ambitions than in the party’s well-being.
He called for introspection and unity, emphasising that the PDP must prioritise its future if it hopes to offer a credible alternative to the current government.
The BoT Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, expressed his frustration with the continued internal strife, urging party leaders to put the party’s survival above personal interests.
Wabara also reiterated the need for the NEC meeting in February, stressing its importance in addressing pressing issues and reaffirming the party’s commitment to unity and discipline.
The crisis within the PDP has intensified, with party leaders now openly criticising one another. Recently, Wike, Governor Mohammed, and others have exchanged harsh words, further deepening the divide.
The violent altercation at the BoT meeting, which saw Ude-Okoye momentarily ejected from the room, only highlights the growing tensions.
Ude-Okoye, for his part, defended his actions during the meeting, stating that he was not forcefully removed but had stepped out in self-defense due to an attempt on his safety.
He also reiterated his position as the legitimate National Secretary of the PDP, citing the Appeal Court ruling in his favour.
The meeting in Asaba is seen as a critical moment for the PDP, as party leaders attempt to navigate the complex web of conflicts that threaten the opposition party’s cohesion.
As the party struggles to regain its footing, the APC has been quick to comment on the unfolding drama.
The ruling party’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, called the internal turmoil an “unfortunate but entertaining drama,” adding that the PDP’s mismanagement of its own affairs has been evident.
Ibrahim further mocked the PDP for its inability to manage both the party and the country during its 16 years in power, suggesting that Nigerians were saved by “God’s intervention” rather than effective governance.
He also offered a satirical invitation to the PDP, suggesting that its leadership attend the APC’s “Progressives Institute” to learn how to play politics without bitterness.
As the situation within the PDP continues to unfold, all eyes will be on the Asaba meeting to see whether the governors can find common ground and steer the party back on course, or if the internal strife will continue to undermine its prospects.
