PDP crises worsen as NWC members rise up against Damagun

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The crises rocking the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP worsened on Wednesday with division among members of the main administrative organ of the party, the National Working Committee (NWC).

In a rare development, 12 members of the NWC are up in battle against the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum over the decision to reinstate Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as the party National Secretary and postponement of the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

“A bitter pill for PDP to swallow”

Damagum, had at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday announced the reinstatement of Anyawu and postponement of the NEC meeting.

The PDP Acting chairman who was flanked by some governors during the press conference said the two decisions were taken following the meeting of the party’s leadership with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday.

Damagun said Anyanwu’s reinstatement as the national secretary is a bitter pill that PDP had to swallow.

“INEC is our regulator and they have told us their position as it affects the issues surrounding the national secretary.

“We are all aware that the national secretary is a signatory of this party. It is a critical position that he holds.

“As such, we have decided to abide by their advice, especially as we have a very important election before us, that is the FCT election and we are running out of time. So, we have no option but to abide by the decision.

“After due consultations and everything, we thought it’s a bitter pill and we have to swallow it,” had said.

The acting national chairman also disclosed that the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, earlier scheduled for June 30, had been suspended.

“Null And Void”

However, a faction of the NWC, in a statement issued later on Wednesday, described Damagum’s pronouncements as null and void.

The faction insisted that the 100th NEC meeting scheduled for Monday, June, 30, will go an as planned.

The statement, jointly signed by 12 NWC members, added that Anyanwu cannot be reinstated as the national secretary of the party

The statement was jointly signed by PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, acting National Secretary, Hon. Setonji Koshoedo and the National Treasurer, Ahmed Mohammed.

Other signatories to the statement were the National Auditor, Okechukwu Daniel, National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, National Financial Secretary, Woyengikuro Daniel and the National Vice Chairman (South East), High Chief Ali Odefa.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South), Emmanuel Ogidi, National Woman Leader, Mrs Amina Darasimi Bryhm,.Sen. Hayatu Gwarzo and the National Vice Chairman (South West), Ajisafe Toyese were also part of those who signed the letter.

“The attention of the NWC of the PDP has been drawn to a press briefing by Damagum, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, 30th June, 2025,” the statement read in part.

The factional NWC members said that asking Anyanwu to resume as PDP national secretary was contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting which referred all matters relating to the office to the 100th NEC meeting.

“The pronouncements by the acting national chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the NEC under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

‘For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention.

“By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday, June 30 is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.

“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is therefore misleading, being contrary to the resolution of NEC

“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting, as scheduled for Monday, June, 30, has not been canceled or postponed,” the NWC members stated.