The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is intensifying, with no clear resolution in sight, despite the appointment of former Senate President Bukola Saraki and six others to a reconciliation committee ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27.
Sources within the party told Sunday PUNCH that the Saraki-led committee’s endorsement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s return as National Secretary has sparked renewed tensions. This decision, which reportedly bypassed wider consultation, has angered key party stakeholders, including members of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the Board of Trustees (BoT).
The conflict dates back to the aftermath of the 2023 elections, with tensions escalating in December 2024 after a court recognized former National Youth Leader Sunday Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary. Although the PDP leadership initially accepted the court ruling, Anyanwu challenged it at the Supreme Court. On March 21, the court ruled that party leadership issues lie outside the judiciary’s jurisdiction, effectively dismissing his removal.
Following this, on April 14, PDP governors asked the South-East zone to nominate a new candidate, leading to the selection of Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo as Acting Secretary. The NWC confirmed his appointment on April 29.
However, Saraki’s May 12 meeting with Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature led to a decision allowing Anyanwu to resume office. The PUNCH reported on May 14 that Saraki gave the green light for Anyanwu’s return.
This move was met with backlash from the South-East caucus, led by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and PDP BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara. They reaffirmed Udeh-Okoye as their preferred choice and warned they might reconsider their commitment to the PDP if their position was ignored.
A senior PDP leader, speaking anonymously, criticized Saraki for failing to consult widely before making the decision. Governors from Oyo, Zamfara, Bayelsa, and Enugu states, along with some NWC members, reportedly felt sidelined and undermined by the move.
“There had been relative calm after Koshoedo’s nomination, but the Saraki-led panel’s unilateral decision disrupted that,” the source said. “Many believe the interest of the South-East should be respected to maintain party unity.”
Another party official confirmed that Koshoedo’s name had already been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s recognised secretary.
While some insiders defended Saraki’s actions, saying the panel merely upheld the Supreme Court ruling in favor of Anyanwu, others warned that ignoring the judgment could harm the PDP legally and politically.
Efforts to reach Saraki and the party’s National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba were unsuccessful at press time.
Atiku Reaffirms Support for Reconciliation, Coalition
Meanwhile, PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, expressed support for both the internal reconciliation efforts and the broader opposition coalition. Speaking through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said the coalition and reconciliation were complementary and necessary to strengthen opposition parties.
He emphasized the need for a united front to address the country’s challenges, saying, “The PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, and other opposition parties must remain strong and active. Nigerians are yearning for change.”
Former PDP National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri and ex-Deputy National Publicity Secretary Diran Odeyemi expressed optimism that the party would overcome its internal divisions and emerge stronger.