The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, governors elected on the party’s platform, and other key stakeholders are scheduled to meet with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Wednesday (today) in Abuja.
The emergency meeting comes amid growing uncertainty over the PDP’s planned 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for June 30, which has been overshadowed by fierce internal disputes and procedural concerns raised by INEC.
INEC, in a letter dated June 13 and signed by Acting Secretary Mathru Aminu, faulted the PDP’s NEC notice for violating its regulations.
The commission pointed to Part 2(12)3 of the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, which requires that all notices of meetings be jointly signed by both the National Chairman and the National Secretary of the party.
“The commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance… The National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice… Be guided,” the letter read.
The PDP’s notice, signed solely by Damagum, was thus deemed insufficient. INEC’s rejection has cast doubt on the legality of the upcoming NEC meeting.
At the heart of the crisis lies the contentious National Secretary position, currently claimed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who also contested the 2023 Imo governorship election.
While Anyanwu never formally relinquished his PDP position, the South-East Caucus nominated Sunday Udeh-Okoye as his replacement.
A fact-finding committee chaired by Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, confirmed INEC’s recognition of Anyanwu in a report presented to the PDP National Caucus on May 27.
To navigate the legal and procedural uncertainties, the PDP had elevated Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo as Acting Secretary, and Damagum subsequently notified INEC of the June 30 NEC meeting.
Tensions Among Stakeholders
Party tensions have been exacerbated by recent high-profile defections, unresolved regional congress disputes, and leadership squabbles—particularly in the South-South and South-East zones.
These internal divisions have led to six postponements of the NEC meeting, stalling critical decisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to The PUNCH, former PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Bode George, criticised INEC’s stance: “INEC cannot say it recognises Anyanwu as the PDP National Secretary. There is a meeting tomorrow between the PDP National Chairman, the PDP Governors Forum and the INEC Chairman. INEC cannot decide who the PDP National Secretary is.”
He added: “If the Supreme Court said the issue… is an internal affair of the party, what is INEC saying? Between INEC and the Supreme Court, which has more powers?”
George also urged caution: “I want to tell Prof Mahmood Yakubu, kadan kadan (tread softly)… Is INEC saying we don’t have a secretary now?”
However, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature advised the party to allow Anyanwu to sign the NEC notification.
“Allow Sen Anyanwu to sign (Notice of NEC meeting),” he said.
A group of concerned PDP stakeholders has warned that removing Anyanwu unconstitutionally could destabilise the party.
In a statement signed by National Convener Aminu Das Sadiq, the group urged leaders to respect the Supreme Court judgment and INEC’s recognition.
“Let Senator Anyanwu serve out the remainder of his constitutionally mandated tenure… Let us convene a proper unity elective convention and allow party members to democratically determine their future leadership,” the group stated.
They accused some governors—Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Peter Mbah (Enugu)—of plotting to oust Anyanwu, allegedly to weaken the influence of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, who backs him.
“This disregard of the Supreme Court judgment and selective approach to conflict resolution… sets a precedent where personal ambition trumps party interest,” the group warned.
They also pointed to a similar crisis in 2024 involving Debo Ologunagba and Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, which was resolved through negotiation.
With less than six months left in Anyanwu’s tenure, the group questioned the political wisdom of continuing what they called a “witch-hunt.”
The group said: “If left unchecked, this crisis could be the undoing of the PDP ahead of critical elections.”
They called on Governor Bala Mohammed, Makinde, Mbah, members of the BoT, NEC, and the South-East Caucus to de-escalate tensions and preserve party unity.
“Let us remember that the PDP has overcome many challenges in the past by prioritising unity—and we can do so once more,” the statement concluded.
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