The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally affirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary, following weeks of intense internal wrangling, conflicting announcements, and a dramatic security clampdown on the party’s national headquarters.
The affirmation was announced on Monday by the PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, after the party’s 100th NEC meeting held at its Wadata Plaza headquarters in Abuja.
“The NEC unanimously agreed that Senator Anyanwu continues as the National Secretary of the party. This decision comes after thorough consultations with relevant stakeholders and INEC,” Damagum told journalists shortly after the meeting.
Despite fears of a possible breakdown in the party’s leadership structure, Damagum declared the outcome as a blow to the “detractors” who had predicted chaos.
“The beauty of the PDP is its internal conflict-resolution mechanism. All our governors, NWC members, and BoT leaders were on the same page. There is no room for further media war,” he said.
Earlier in the day, tension gripped the party as security operatives barricaded the PDP secretariat, blocking members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) from accessing the NEC hall for a pre-meeting. The BoT was later forced to relocate to the Yar’Adua Centre to hold its session.
Eyewitnesses at the party office confirmed that security agents forcibly ejected some party members from the NEC hall ahead of the meeting.
Top party figures in attendance included former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), and Douye Diri (Bayelsa).
The affirmation of Anyanwu has further deepened the PDP’s leadership crisis, as at least three party leaders — Anyanwu, Sunday Udeh-Okoye, and Setonji Koshoedo — have laid conflicting claims to the national secretary seat.
Last week, 11 members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) rejected Damagum’s earlier affirmation of Anyanwu, insisting that no consensus had been reached and the NEC must decide.
The BoT also strongly opposed Damagum’s move, accusing him of “gross abuse of office” and usurping the powers of the party’s highest decision-making body.
Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, speaking on Sunday ahead of the NEC meeting, dismissed attempts to cancel or convert the gathering into a caucus session. He insisted the NEC, as scheduled, remained binding on all organs.
“By virtue of Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution (amended 2017), only the NEC has the authority to determine such outcomes,” Arapaja said.
Damagum disclosed that the next NEC meeting will hold on July 23 to finalise plans for the party’s national convention. He and Anyanwu are expected to jointly notify INEC of the date and agenda.
“We chose to proceed with the NEC after consultations with all relevant organs,” Damagum added. “Let us stop demarketing ourselves. PDP knows how to heal.”
Despite the affirmation of unity, observers say the party still has significant reconciliation work to do as it prepares for the convention and broader 2027 electoral strategy.
The internal conflict, largely perceived as a proxy battle between factions loyal to different political power blocs within the PDP — including those aligned with Rivers State strongman Nyesom Wike — continues to test the party’s cohesion and relevance ahead of future national contests.
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