The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is still battling to stabilise its leadership ahead of its 100th National Executive Committee meeting, fixed for June 30, 2025.
A meeting between PDP leaders and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to take place in Abuja, as fresh controversy surrounds the party’s National Secretary seat.
Once Nigeria’s ruling party, the PDP has been shaken by leadership wrangles, internal disputes, defections, and growing tensions across regions. Six previous NEC meetings were postponed due to unresolved conflicts, weakening the party’s preparation for the 2027 elections.
At the heart of the dispute is the question of who holds the rightful position of National Secretary. Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who ran for governor in Imo State in 2023, resumed at the PDP secretariat to reclaim the position despite Sunday Udeh-Okoye being picked by the South-East Caucus to replace him.
Anyanwu is reportedly backed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, while some governors are allegedly plotting to unseat him.
INEC Rejects PDP’s NEC Meeting Notice
The PDP notified INEC of its plan to hold the 100th NEC meeting in Abuja. Acting Chairman Umar Damagum signed the letter but not jointly with the party’s National Secretary as required by INEC rules. In response, INEC flagged the notice as invalid.
The electoral body stated in a letter dated June 13 that the notice violated Part 2(12)3 of its 2022 regulations. That provision requires both the National Chairman and National Secretary to sign such notifications. The letter, signed by Acting Secretary Mathru Aminu, warned the PDP to comply with the regulations next time.
INEC’s stance contradicts the Supreme Court’s earlier position that the appointment of a party’s National Secretary is an internal matter. This has led to accusations that INEC is interfering in party matters beyond its legal bounds.
Speaking to the press, PDP leader Chief Bode George said, “INEC cannot say it recognises Anyanwu as the PDP National Secretary.” He added, “If the Supreme Court said the issue is internal, what is INEC saying?” He also advised INEC’s chairman to “tread softly.”
PDP Stakeholders Insist on Due Process, Warn of Fallout
With less than six months left in Anyanwu’s term, a group of PDP Stakeholders warned against any illegal move to remove him. They argued that doing so would violate the PDP Constitution and court judgments. The group also stressed that unity is key to keeping the party strong before the next general election.
In a statement signed by Aminu Das Sadiq, the stakeholders urged the party to allow Anyanwu to finish his term. They said, “Let Senator Anyanwu serve out the remainder of his constitutionally mandated tenure.” They insisted that the only valid way to resolve the matter is through a properly convened national elective convention.
The statement questioned why the party was refusing to use conflict-resolution methods that had worked in similar past crises. The stakeholders recalled that in a 2024 dispute involving the National Publicity Secretary and Legal Adviser, peace was achieved through internal negotiation.
They warned that failing to respect the party’s constitution and the Supreme Court would “set a dangerous precedent.” The group described attempts to remove Anyanwu as driven by ego and ambition rather than the party’s interest. They added that such actions could trigger mass resignations, hurt the party’s strength in elections, and even destroy the PDP.
The stakeholders asked key party figures, including Governors Bala Mohammed, Seyi Makinde, and Peter Mbah, to help lower the tension and promote unity.
The group said, “Let us remember that the PDP has overcome many challenges in the past by prioritising unity, and we can do so once more.”
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