The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is engulfed in a serious internal crisis centered on the National Secretary position and the legitimacy of the 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for Monday, June 30, 2025. The party faces a potential split as rival factions plan to hold separate meetings in Abuja, signaling a major showdown.
Insiders reveal that both factions are actively mobilizing for their respective meetings, with the Board of Trustees also convening amid the escalating tension.
On Sunday afternoon at the PDP National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza, acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Vice Chairman (North West) Senator Bello Gwarzo, and others reaffirmed their call for an expanded National Caucus meeting instead of the NEC session.
Later that evening, a majority of the National Working Committee (NWC), including Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, National Vice Chairman (South East) Ali Odefa, South East Caretaker Chairman Emmanuel Ogidi, National Woman Leader Amina Darasimi, acting National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, and others, insisted the NEC meeting would proceed as planned with Koshoedo as acting National Secretary.
The faction led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, supported by Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and 11 NWC members, demands the NEC meeting go ahead and opposes Anyanwu’s reinstatement.
In contrast, former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike’s camp, including Governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Adamu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), and acting National Chairman Damagum, advocates postponing the NEC meeting and restoring Anyanwu as National Secretary.
Since losing power in 2015, the PDP has struggled with leadership disputes, defections, and unresolved congresses. Koshoedo was appointed acting National Secretary to stabilize the party, but a fact-finding committee led by Governor Agbu confirmed that INEC still recognizes Senator Anyanwu as the legitimate National Secretary.
Following this, the 99th NEC meeting scheduled the 100th NEC for June 30, and Damagum notified INEC on May 30. INEC rejected the notification, citing PDP’s internal rules requiring co-signature by both the National Chairman and National Secretary.
At a press conference, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba stated INEC’s role is limited to receiving notifications and does not interfere in internal party matters. Damagum later distanced the party from Ologunagba’s remarks, calling them personal and premature.
The divide widened after Damagum led a delegation to meet INEC on June 25, announcing Anyanwu’s reinstatement and postponing the NEC meeting in favor of an expanded National Caucus meeting on June 30.
Six deputy national officers endorsed Anyanwu’s return, while 11 of 18 NWC members rejected it and insisted on holding the NEC meeting as scheduled.
A source from Makinde’s camp confirmed readiness for the 100th NEC meeting, emphasizing the importance of upholding the party constitution and NEC’s authority.
Deputy National Chairman Arapaja reiterated at a Sunday night press conference that the NEC meeting would proceed, dismissing claims that it had been replaced by an expanded National Caucus meeting as unconstitutional.
Meanwhile, Wike’s faction insists the June 30 meeting is a National Caucus gathering to include more party members and prevent conflict.
Senator Anyanwu invited selected party stakeholders to the special expanded National Caucus meeting, including statutory members, deputy national officers, BoT members, state chairmen, PDP National Assembly Caucus members, former NWC members, ex-governors, and past gubernatorial candidates.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State supports the NWC, BoT, and South East Zonal Executive Committee’s stance, warning that the South East may reconsider its PDP membership if the National Secretary dispute persists.
Former PDP BoT Chairman Olabode George said he would attend the meeting regardless of its designation, emphasizing the need for unity and resolution.
Former PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan stressed the importance of honoring the NEC’s June 30 meeting date, calling it the party’s highest decision-making organ after the convention.
Former National Secretary Senator Ibrahim Tsauri acknowledged the party’s internal challenges but highlighted PDP’s commitment to law and democracy, explaining the rationale for the expanded stakeholders’ meeting.
Former National Vice Chairman Eddy Olafeso said the meeting’s outcome would be determined internally without speculation.
The ruling APC dismissed the PDP as a dying party incapable of managing the country, welcoming the opposition’s internal crisis as confirmation of APC’s cohesion and governance.
The PDP’s internal conflict highlights the challenges facing Nigeria’s main opposition party as it struggles to maintain unity and relevance ahead of future elections.