PDP Crisis Escalates as NWC, BoT Reject Damagum’s Reinstatement of Anyanwu and NEC Meeting Cancellation

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is embroiled in a deepening internal crisis following Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum’s decision on June 25, 2025, to reinstate Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary and cancel the 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30, 2025, replacing it with an expanded caucus meeting. The move, announced during a press conference in Abuja, has been met with fierce opposition from the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and 11 members of the National Working Committee (NWC), who argue it violates the party’s constitution and undermines the NEC’s authority as the second-highest decision-making body after the National Convention. The BoT, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, and NWC members, including Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja and Acting National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, insist the NEC meeting must proceed and that Koshoedo remains acting secretary, as per the 600th NWC meeting and 99th NEC resolutions.

Damagum’s actions, backed by a faction loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, were justified as aligning with a March 21, 2025, Supreme Court ruling (SC/CV/18/2025) affirming Anyanwu’s position and INEC’s directive for compliance, citing procedural issues with the NEC meeting notice lacking Anyanwu’s signature. However, the opposing faction, supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and favoring Sunday Udeh-Okoye for the secretary role, argues that Damagum’s unilateral moves contravene the PDP Constitution (2017, as amended), specifically Section 31(3), which makes NEC resolutions binding. A Federal High Court in Abuja deferred a related suit by Anyanwu to September 22, 2025, to address jurisdictional challenges and amendments, further delaying resolution. The crisis, fueled by factional battles between Wike and Makinde’s camps, threatens PDP’s unity ahead of its August 2025 convention, with stakeholders warning of weakened opposition credibility in the FCT election and beyond (Vanguard, June 26, 2025).

PDP chieftain Bode George dismissed claims of Wike controlling the party, calling it a “fallacy” on Arise TV’s Morning Show, urging elders to resolve the “self-inflicted” crisis through the NEC. The BoT condemned Damagum’s “gross violation” of constitutional order, warning of deeper chaos, while a Wike-aligned source defended the reinstatement as necessary to meet INEC’s demands and ensure FCT election preparedness. Conversely, an NWC member among the 11 dissenters labeled Damagum’s actions an “affront to democratic principles.” The dispute, rooted in Anyanwu’s 2023 Imo governorship bid and subsequent leadership tussle, has seen six prior NEC postponements, high-profile defections (e.g., Governors Oborevwori and Eno to APC), and a March 20, 2025, court injunction restraining Anyanwu’s expulsion. Posts on X, like @PodiumReporters and @AdaIgbo00, highlight the party’s disarray, with @PrinceElvisOse claiming Anyanwu’s reinstatement resolves the issue, though @ARISEtv notes ongoing “ego and rascality” among leaders.