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As tensions escalate within the People’s Democratic Party regarding the National Secretary position and the contentious 100th National Executive Committee meeting set for today, a significant confrontation seems likely, with opposing factions poised to convene separate NEC and National Caucus sessions in Abuja.
Sources, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization, said that these rival groups were ramping up efforts and preparing for the distinct meetings.
Additionally, a reliable insider indicated that the Board of Trustees would also convene today amid the ongoing strife.
Reports reveal that on Sunday afternoon at Wadata, acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, beleaguered National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Vice Chairman (North West) Senator Bello Gwarzo, among other National Working Committee members reaffirmed their stance that an expanded National Caucus meeting should take precedence over the NEC gathering.
Conversely, a majority of NWC members, including Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja and National Vice Chairman (South East) Ali Odefa, insisted that the NEC meeting would proceed as intended, with Koshoedo remaining as acting National Secretary.
The faction led by Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde, which includes Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), along with 11 NWC members, strongly advocates for the scheduled NEC meeting and opposes Anyanwu's reinstatement.
Meanwhile, the faction supporting former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, comprising Governors Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Adamu Fintiri (Adamawa), and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), calls for Anyanwu's reinstatement and a postponement of the NEC meeting.
The PDP has been grappling with internal discord following its loss of power in 2015, resulting in leadership struggles, mass defections, and unresolved congress issues in several significant states.
Koshoedo was appointed acting National Secretary to stabilize the party; however, a fact-finding committee headed by Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu concluded that INEC still recognized Senator Anyanwu as the legitimate officeholder.
Consequently, the 99th NEC agreed to hold the 100th NEC meeting on June 30, which Damagum communicated to INEC via a letter dated May 30.
INEC subsequently rejected this notification, asserting that such letters must carry signatures from both the National Chairman and National Secretary in line with PDP’s internal processes and urged compliance with the party's constitution.
As tensions rise, the PDP's National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba claimed at a press conference that INEC's role is limited to receiving notifications and should not meddle in internal matters.
However, Damagum distanced the party from Ologunagba’s statements, deeming them personal, lacking in wider consultation, and regrettable.
The fracture in the party became apparent a day after Damagum led a group of party leaders in a high-profile fact-finding meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja.
During a June 25 press conference at the party's national secretariat in Abuja, Damagum announced Anyanwu’s reinstatement and the postponement of the 100th NEC meeting, describing it as a difficult yet necessary decision backed by the majority of stakeholders, adding that an expanded National Caucus would occur on June 30.
Accompanied by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and other notable party figures, Damagum stated that an expanded National Caucus meeting would replace the previously scheduled NEC meeting.
Concurrently, six deputy national PDP officers endorsed Anyanwu’s reinstatement and expressed their support for the June 30 National Caucus meeting in a June 25 statement. Conversely, 11 out of 18 NWC members rejected Anyanwu’s reinstatement and reaffirmed their commitment to the previously scheduled June 30 NEC meeting.
Despite opposition, the NWC members insisted that the NEC meeting would proceed as planned, labeling any claims of cancellation as misleading and contrary to the NEC resolution.
A top party insider siad that the majority of NWC members and other key stakeholders have prepared to ensure that the 100th NEC occurs as scheduled. The source, affiliated with Makinde’s camp, emphasized that sustaining the major opposition party in Nigeria is imperative and that the NEC is the supreme organ of the party following the National Convention.
Preparations for the NEC meeting have been finalized, and necessary documents for accreditation have been printed. The source indicated that, while there are efforts to obstruct the meeting, they are fully prepared to uphold the party's constitution and ensure its survival.
In a briefing on Sunday night, PDP Deputy National Chairman Arapaja, alongside other NWC members, insisted that the 100th NEC would proceed as scheduled.
He reassured party members that the meeting would take place at the NEC Hall of the Wadata Plaza on June 30, 2025. Clarifying the agenda, he noted that the 100th NEC would receive updates from the Zoning Committee and the National Convention Organizing Committee.
He reiterated that the meeting’s date, previously agreed upon at the 99th NEC held on May 27, is obligatory for all party organs and members.
Arapaja refuted circulated notices suggesting that the 100th NEC meeting has been transformed into a Special Expanded National Caucus meeting, asserting that such notifications did not originate from the PDP and should be disregarded.
He emphasized that there is no provision for an Expanded National Caucus in the PDP Constitution, underscoring the party's commitment to internal democracy and adherence to the Rule of Law. He reaffirmed that the NWC acknowledges the support of PDP members and that the 100th NEC meeting and the forthcoming National Convention will proceed as planned.
Meanwhile, sources from Wike’s camp claimed that today’s gathering is designated as a National Caucus meeting rather than an NEC session. One source noted that the acting National Chairman indicated last week—post Anyanwu’s reinstatement—that the meeting would be a National Caucus, allowing a broader range of party members to discuss and propose solutions for ongoing issues.
Consequently, they insisted that individual factions cannot enforce an NEC meeting that could lead to conflict, asserting their intention to hold the expanded National Caucus instead.
Additionally, Anyanwu announced in a notice on Sunday that participation in the expanded National Caucus meeting would be strictly by invitation. The notice specified the date, venue, time, and guest list for the meeting, comprising stakeholders and key party members.
In a related development, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah expressed his support for the NWC and the Board of Trustees amid the party's unrest, indicating his dissatisfaction with the ongoing disarray that he feels has turned the party into an "endless circus."
Mbah reiterated the South East Zonal Executive Committee's prior warning that they would reassess their affiliation with the PDP if the National Secretary issue remains unaddressed.
The former PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Olabode George, indicated his willingness to attend the upcoming meeting regardless of its designation, emphasizing the importance of dialogue within the party. He mentioned that attendees would address their issues directly and collaboratively seek a resolution.
Former PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan asserted that the 100th NEC meeting is indeed taking place, voicing concerns that party leadership should respect its own decisions.
He noted that any failure to honor previously established agreements would undermine the party's integrity.
Similarly, former National Secretary Senator Ibrahim Tsauri emphasized the significance of adhering to decisions made at the previous NEC meeting, suggesting that leadership must address discord intelligently to fortify the party.
He remarked on the importance of maintaining the integrity and organizational structure of the PDP.
Furthermore, Eddie Olafeso, the former National Vice Chairman (South West), assured that regardless of the meeting's title, the focus will be on resolving the issues affecting the party.
In response, the ruling All Progressives Congress characterized the PDP as a failing entity, expressing satisfaction with its internal strife.
APC Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim remarked that the current crisis illustrates the inherent instability within the PDP, implying it would be irresponsible to grant them political power again given their inability to manage their own affairs.
