The internal turmoil within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified, with 11 out of the 19 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) rejecting the return of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.
In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the dissenting NWC members reaffirmed their support for the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025. They also dismissed claims by the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who announced that Anyanwu had resumed duties and that the NEC meeting had been cancelled.
“The assertion by Ambassador Damagum that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has resumed office as National Secretary is misleading and contradicts NEC’s resolution,” the statement read. “Accordingly, the 100th NEC meeting remains scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025, and has neither been cancelled nor postponed.”
This development follows Damagum’s remarks made alongside prominent party figures—including Bauchi State Governor and PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman, Bala Mohammed, and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki—after a visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Damagum had claimed that Anyanwu had been reinstated and that the NEC meeting would be replaced by an Expanded Caucus session.
However, the 11 NWC members strongly opposed this, insisting that no individual or organ within the PDP has the constitutional authority to override NEC decisions.
“The Acting National Chairman’s pronouncements lack any constitutional backing,” the statement continued. “No individual, group, or organ—including the NWC—can cancel, amend, or override NEC resolutions as per the PDP Constitution (amended 2017).”
They stressed that NEC remains the party’s highest decision-making body, second only to the National Convention, and cited Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution to affirm that the scheduled 100th NEC meeting is binding on all party structures and members.
The joint statement was signed by the following NWC members:
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Amb. Taofeek Arapaja (Deputy National Chairman, South)
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Hon. (Arc) Setonji Koshoedo (Acting National Secretary)
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Hon. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed (National Treasurer)
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Sir Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel (National Auditor)
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Hon. Debo Ologunagba (National Publicity Secretary)
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Dr. Woyengikuro Daniel (National Financial Secretary)
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High Chief Ali Odefa (National Vice Chairman, South-East)
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Hon. Emmanuel Ogidi (Caretaker Committee Chair, South-South)
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Hon. Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm (National Woman Leader)
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Sen. Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, CON (National Vice Chairman, North-West)
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Hon. Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese (National Vice Chairman, South-West)