A significant police deployment was observed on Monday at Wadata Plaza, the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in what appears to be an attempt to prevent the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting from taking place. The meeting, convened by a faction opposed to the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, was scheduled despite Damagum’s earlier announcement of its postponement following consultations with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Despite the postponement directive, reports indicated that Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, after meeting with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, and other key South-East leaders, insisted the NEC meeting would proceed as planned.
In an apparent bid to stop the meeting, police reportedly took over the PDP headquarters, forcing staff and party officials to vacate the premises. Videos circulating online show uniformed officers ejecting staff, with one employee accusing Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike of orchestrating the crackdown, saying, “One man cannot hold the entire country to ransom.”
The PDP, via its official X handle, condemned the security action, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using federal agencies to disrupt its internal processes.
“Federal Police, @PoliceNG and other Security Agencies, under the orders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), @OfficialAPCNg, are harassing BoT members and staff at the Party’s National Secretariat to stop the scheduled meeting. #PDP100ThNECMeetingMustHold,” the post read.
In response, the PDP issued a “Special Announcement” signed by “Management,” relocating the NEC meeting to the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja’s Central Business District.
“All BoT members are hereby advised to proceed to the new venue,” the statement concluded.
This development is the latest in the PDP’s ongoing internal crisis. The party has been grappling with deepening divisions and unresolved disputes ahead of upcoming elections. Tensions escalated after Damagum, citing INEC guidance, reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary and suspended the NEC meeting initially set for June 30.
Damagum described the decision as a “bitter pill,” noting the National Secretary’s legal role in party operations and the need to avoid complications with INEC amid preparations for FCT elections.
However, this move drew sharp criticism from a faction within the National Working Committee (NWC). In a joint statement signed by 12 senior party leaders—including Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, Acting National Secretary Hon. Setonji Koshoedo, and National Treasurer Ahmed Mohammed—the group rejected Damagum’s actions as “null and void.”
“No organ or individual in the PDP can unilaterally override NEC resolutions. Section 31(3) of our constitution affirms this,” the statement said, insisting that Anyanwu’s reinstatement requires NEC approval.
Other signatories included National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, National Auditor Okechukwu Daniel, and National Vice Chairmen from the South East and South West.
Meanwhile, Minister Nyesom Wike dismissed the controversy over Anyanwu’s status, stating the latter had never ceased functioning as National Secretary.
“He’s been working. He doesn’t need anyone to tell him to resume duty,” Wike said, attributing the reinstatement move to “ignorance of the law.”
As the PDP’s internal discord escalates, the party faces a critical test of unity and leadership at a time when strategic decisions are needed to prepare for future electoral battles.
