PDP’s 99th NEC Meeting Slams Tinubu’s Administration, Resists APC’s One-Party Ambitions

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held its 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, expressing deep concern over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and alleged corruption under President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) administration. In a communique read by Acting National Chairman Ambassador Iliya Damagum, the PDP accused the APC of attempting to transform Nigeria into a one-party state through intimidation, threats, and efforts to suppress opposition parties, including a recent FCT Administration move to seize the PDP’s Wadata Plaza secretariat over unpaid ground rents. The NEC condemned the APC’s “wholesale corruption, massive treasury-looting, budget padding, and diversion of public funds,” which it said has led to infrastructural decline and eroded investor confidence, pledging to uphold democracy, the rule of law, and multi-party politics.

Internally, the PDP addressed the contentious National Secretary position, noting that the South-East Zonal Executive’s resolution to replace Senator Samuel Anyanwu with Sunday Ude-Okoye will be considered at the next NEC meeting on June 30, 2025. A three-man committee, comprising Governors Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), confirmed with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that Anyanwu remains the legally recognized National Secretary, as his removal has not followed due process. The Bukola Saraki Strategy Committee was tasked with further investigating Anyanwu’s status, and INEC is expected to monitor the June NEC proceedings. The NEC also ratified committees for the August 28–30, 2025, National Convention, with Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri chairing the Zoning Committee and Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri leading the National Convention Committee.

The PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, vowed not to succumb to federal government intimidation, emphasizing the party’s unity despite external pressures and defections fragmenting other parties. Mohammed highlighted the APC’s tactics, including subtle provocations and political maneuvering, but affirmed the PDP’s resilience. The NEC reassured Nigerians of the party’s strength and determination to lead the opposition against the APC, amid ongoing internal reconciliation efforts and preparations for the 2027 elections, as reflected in posts on X expressing cautious optimism about the PDP’s ability to challenge the APC’s dominance.