PDP crisis deepens as Damagum, NWC disagree on Anyanwu’s return as nat. secretary, shift in NEC meeting

.We’ve reinstated Anyanwu — Ag chairman

.Not true, Arapaja, Ologunagba, Koshoedo others counter

.Reject plans to postpone NEC

CYRIL MBAH, Abuja

PDP reinstates Anyanwu as Nat. Sec, Shelves NEC indefinitely. Will hold further consultative meetings on outstanding issues.

Crisis deepens as PDP faction counters Damagum, rejects plans to shift NEC, recall Anyanwu.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has succumbed to pressures and reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as its National Secretary to help bring to an end the long standing dispute over who should occupy the position of scribe for the party.

Interestingly, the PDP has also postponed indefinitely its scheduled National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting fixed for June 30, 2025. It has instead opted to hold an extended caucus meeting on Monday, June 30, the day of the NEC.

These details were released to newsmen on Wednesday by the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Illiya Damagum, while addressing the media at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja.

According to Amb. Damagum, the decision to accept Anyanwu has become a bitter pill that the party must accept and swallow in the interest of peace.

Damagum described the decision as very painful and a very bitter pill that the PDP must swallow, considering the various factors that made it impossible to jettison Anyanwu.

Recall that apart from Anyanwu, Hon Sunday Ude- Okoye and Architect Setonji Koshedo had acted as National Secretary and acting National Secretary, respectively, while the dispute over the position lasted.
It will be recalled that the PDP has been embroiled in a crisis over the issue of who will be accepted as its authentic National Secretary.

Other high-ranking party officials at the briefing alongside Damagum were: Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Senate Minority Leader and Chairman, PDP caucus in the National Assembly, Senator Abba Moro, erstwhile Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Senator Seriake Dickson (former Governor of Bayelsa State) and Hon Umar Bature, National Organizing Secretary of the party and Hon Kingsley Chinda, House of Representatives Minority Leader, among others.

It stands to be seen whether the latest development which has been celebrated in Anyanwu’s camp as a victory will effectively bring to an end the prolonged dispute over the secetariship position in the PDP..
Meanwhile, the other faction of the PDP has deepened the crisis in the party by insisting that Anyanwu has not been reinstated and that the scheduled 100th NEC meeting of the party will hold as planned.

In a statement signed by Amb. Taofeek Arapaja – Deputy National Chairman (South), Hon. (Arc) Setonji Koshoedo – Acting National Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary,Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary, High Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East), Hon. Emmanuel Ogidi- Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South), Hon. Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm – National Woman Leader, Senator Hayatu Bello Gwarzo and Hon. Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West), the party insisted that the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum acted wrongly by trying to cancel the planned meeting and also in trying to reinstate the erstwhile National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, whose suspension, the statement said can only be overturned by the PDP NEC.

The statement, which was issued on Wednesday to counter the press briefing of the PDP National Chairman reads; “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today, Wednesday, 25th June, 2025 wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, 30th June, 2025.

“The Acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the Party, contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to 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 National Executive Committee (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 30th June, 2025 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 Amb. Damagum that Sen. Samuel 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, 30th June, 2025 has not been cancelled or postponed,” the statement concluded.