The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as its National Secretary, following a resolution at the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Monday.
Announcing the decision to journalists after the meeting, PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, confirmed that Anyanwu had officially resumed his role. He also revealed that the party’s 101st NEC meeting is scheduled for July 23, 2025, to finalise preparations for the PDP’s forthcoming national convention.
The party, still grappling with internal divisions since the 2023 presidential election, has faced heightened tensions in recent weeks. The crisis deepened after PDP’s leadership wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on June 24 regarding the position of National Secretary, fueling disputes within its ranks.
On Sunday, Damagum convened a key meeting at Wadata Plaza, bringing together Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Vice Chairman (North West) Senator Bello Gwarzo, and two other National Working Committee (NWC) members. This group affirmed support for Anyanwu’s reinstatement and endorsed the holding of an expanded National Caucus meeting.
Meanwhile, a rival faction within the NWC met separately at the party’s headquarters. This bloc — including Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, National Vice Chairman (South East) Ali Odefa, South East Caretaker Chairman Emmanuel Ogidi, and other top officers — insisted on retaining Setonji Koshoedo as Acting National Secretary and pressed ahead with NEC plans that opposed Anyanwu’s return.
The internal rift reflects broader power struggles, with one faction aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and backed by Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and several NWC members, firmly rejecting Anyanwu’s reinstatement. In contrast, a faction loyal to former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, supported by Governors Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Adamu Fintiri (Adamawa), and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), along with Damagum and his allies, endorsed Anyanwu’s return and sought to delay the NEC meeting.
The standoff escalated as security personnel cordoned off Wadata Plaza, prompting party leaders — including governors, NWC members, the Board of Trustees, and lawmakers — to hold an emergency meeting at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja. There, they resolved to proceed with the 100th NEC meeting as originally planned.
After the meeting, Damagum told reporters that the PDP remains united and capable of resolving its internal challenges.
He said, “We have resolved that Senator Anyanwu will continue as National Secretary. We’ve also agreed to bring the convention matter to the next NEC on July 23. At that meeting, both Senator Anyanwu and I will sign off, as required by INEC, to convene the convention properly.
“To our detractors who expected this meeting to signal the end of the PDP, the party has once again demonstrated its strength through its internal conflict resolution mechanisms. All our governors and NWC members were on the same page.”
Damagum dismissed ongoing tensions, noting that unity prevailed at the NEC meeting and urging an end to the spate of conflicting press statements.
