With multiple factions pulling in different directions, critical decisions unresolved, and former members making it the butt of snide remarks, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which continues to face mounting crisis that threatens its cohesion ahead of key elections, is grappling with fresh internal turmoil.
Its National Working Committee (NWC) is again sharply divided over the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary and the suspension of the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, announced on Tuesday the reinstatement of Anyanwu following consultations with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). At a press briefing in Abuja, Damagum described the decision as a “bitter pill” the party had to swallow, citing INEC’s advisory and the urgency of the upcoming FCT elections.
“INEC is our regulator and has made its position clear. The National Secretary is a key signatory of the party, and we cannot risk complications at this critical time. After consultations, we resolved to abide by INEC’s advice,” Damagum stated. He also announced the suspension of the PDP’s 100th NEC meeting, originally scheduled for June 30.
However, this move has sparked backlash from a faction within the party’s leadership. In a joint statement signed by 12 top PDP officials, including Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, Acting National Secretary Hon. Setonji Koshoedo, and National Treasurer Ahmed Mohammed, the group declared Damagum’s actions “null and void.”
According to the dissenting members, the resolution to hold the 100th NEC meeting was taken during the 99th NEC meeting and cannot be unilaterally overturned.
“No organ or individual within the PDP has the authority to cancel or vary NEC resolutions. Section 31(3) of the party’s constitution makes this clear,” the statement read. “Senator Anyanwu’s status as National Secretary is to be determined by the NEC, not through any acting chairman’s directive.”
Others who signed the statement include National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, National Auditor Okechukwu Daniel, and National Vice Chairmen from the South East and South West, among others.
Further complicating the party’s woes, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike criticised Damagum’s directive, asserting that Anyanwu had continued functioning in his role and did not need to be “reinstated.”
“The National Secretary has been working. He doesn’t need anyone to tell him to resume duty,” Wike remarked, dismissing the move as a result of “ignorance of the law.”
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu during the commissioning of a new road interchange in Abuja, urged the PDP to resolve its internal conflict. He emphasised that the President supports a vibrant opposition to strengthen democracy.
“You got yourselves into this confusion—get out of it quickly. President Tinubu is interested in a vibrant opposition,” Akpabio said. He also pointed to similar fractures within the Labour Party (LP), announcing the defection of Sen. Neda Imasuen from the LP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the LP’s internal disarray mirrored broader issues within Nigeria’s opposition.
