Crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened, as 11 out of 19 members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) have publicly rejected the return of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the NWC members also reaffirmed that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025, will proceed as planned—countering claims made by Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, who had announced that the meeting had been replaced by an Expanded Caucus session.
Rejecting Damagum’s pronouncements, the NWC members stated:
“The claim by Amb. Damagum that Sen. Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the Party is misleading and contradicts the resolution of the NEC.”
They stressed that no individual or organ of the party, including the NWC, has the constitutional power to override or alter NEC decisions.
“The pronouncements by the Acting National Chairman have no foundation. No organ of the party, individual, or group can cancel, overrule, veto, or vary the resolution of the NEC under the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).”
Citing Section 31(3) of the party’s constitution, the group emphasized that the NEC remains the highest decision-making organ, second only to the National Convention, and its resolutions are binding on all members and structures of the party.
The rejection of Anyanwu’s reinstatement follows a media briefing earlier in the day, where Damagum—alongside Bauchi State Governor and PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman, Bala Mohammed, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki—announced Anyanwu’s return after a visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The 11 NWC members pushing back against this decision include:
- Amb. Taofeek Arapaja – Deputy National Chairman (South)
- Hon. (Arc) Setonji Koshoedo – Acting National Secretary
- Hon. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed – National Treasurer
- Sir Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel – National Auditor
- Hon. Debo Ologunagba – National Publicity Secretary
- Dr. Woyengikuro Daniel – National Financial Secretary
- High Chief Ali Odefa – National Vice Chairman (South-East)
- Hon. Emmanuel Ogidi – Caretaker Chairman (South-South)
- Hon. Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm – National Woman Leader
- Sen. Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, CON – National Vice Chairman (North-West)
- Hon. Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese – National Vice Chairman (South-West)
As tensions escalate, all eyes are now on the PDP’s crucial 100th NEC meeting, set for June 30, which could determine the party’s internal direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
