The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Sunday as two rival factions prepared to hold parallel National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings, exposing widening cracks in the party’s leadership.
The sharp division follows mounting tensions over the controversial reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary and a procedural dispute with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has further complicated the party’s internal affairs.
On Saturday, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu threw his weight behind the National Working Committee (NWC), the Board of Trustees (BoT), and the South East Zonal Executive Committee.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, PDP BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, and other party leaders in Enugu, Mbah said he stood firmly with the official party organs on resolving the crisis.
While the NWC insists the NEC meeting must hold as scheduled, Senator Anyanwu — recently reinstated by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum — has called for a separate expanded caucus meeting, heightening the confusion.Damagum’s decision last week to bring back Anyanwu and shift the NEC meeting date was swiftly rejected by the BoT and 11 members of the NWC, who say the NEC gathering must proceed as originally planned.
Anyanwu’s notice for the expanded caucus meeting listed statutory members of the national caucus, deputy national officers, BoT members, state party chairmen, National Assembly caucus members, former NWC officials, and other key stakeholders as attendees. The invitation-only meeting reflects the faction’s determination to press ahead despite widespread opposition.
Meanwhile, INEC declined to acknowledge the PDP’s NEC notification, citing its 2022 regulations which require co-signatures from both the acting national chairman and the national secretary. Since the letter bore only Damagum’s signature, INEC deemed it invalid.
This prompted a rebuttal from PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who argued that INEC has no jurisdiction over the party’s internal matters. However, Damagum disowned the statement, calling it unauthorised.
The leadership tussle escalated last week when staff at the party’s national headquarters staged a walkout in protest, accusing Anyanwu of destabilising the party. Despite the uproar, he continues to enjoy the support of influential backers, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
In a statement to the Vanguard, PDP National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyengikuro insisted that the NEC meeting would go on as planned, describing it as a continuation of an earlier adjourned session.
He dismissed claims that INEC had refused to recognise Acting National Secretary Arc. Setonji Koshoedo’s signature, calling such reports false and misleading.The rift has split PDP governors and senior figures into two camps. On one side is the group led by Governor Makinde, backed by Governors Mbah, Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), 11 NWC members, and other high-ranking officials. This faction is firmly opposed to Anyanwu’s return and insists the NEC meeting must be held as scheduled.
On the other side are Wike’s loyalists, including Governors Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Adamu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Damagum, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN). This camp supports Anyanwu’s reinstatement and wants the NEC meeting postponed.
As both camps prepare to go ahead with separate meetings, the PDP finds itself at a crossroads that could shape its future ahead of the 2027 general elections.
