• Anti-Anyanwu stalwarts insist on NEC meeting
• Damagum, Saraki urge restraint amid coalition lure
As the cloud of uncertainty gathers over the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) future, the main opposition political group may hold its centennial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting today, but without the fanfare that attends such a landmark anniversary of human associations.
The celebration has long been blighted by old rivalries, unsettled scores and lingering disharmony that has left in tatters the once most popular ‘umbrella’ in West Africa – and a testament to the quality of opposition in Africa’s largest democracy.
As of yesterday, the party was in a dilemma over the legality of prominent stakeholders overriding the resolutions of the party’s executive panel that has scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for today.
By the party’s constitution, the NEC is second only to the highest decision-making organ of the party, which is the national convention. Penultimate week, precisely on May 27, the 99th NEC meeting held and scheduled the 100th confab for today, June 30, 2025.
However, in an impromptu meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), convened at the instance of PDP, the commission the chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, reportedly rebuked the party for sending a plethora of letters conveying contradictory directives to the electoral body on the issue of the position of PDP’s national scribe.
INEC, it was learnt, pointed out the procedural defect contained in the party’s letter notifying the commission of the 100th NEC, stressing that it was odd for the acting national chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagun, to be the sole signatory on the letter, even as the name of Senator Samuel Anyanwu subsists on its records as a scribe.
Stung by INEC’s contrite observation, the acting national chairman, Damagun, flanked by the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, members of the Board of Trustees and the Bukola Saraki-led Way-forward Committee, announced the restoration of Anyanwu as national secretary, as well as the postponement of the 100th NEC.
However, Damagun’s explanation that an expanded caucus meeting would be held in place of the proposed NEC meeting was rejected by some members of the National Working Committee, who declared Anyanwu’s reinstatement null and void.
Insisting that the resolutions of the May 27th NEC meeting surpass the acting chairman’s pronouncements, 11 members of the NWC declared that, being the highest decision-making body of the party, the 100th NEC meeting must be held today as earlier agreed.
The 11 dissenting NWC members noted that, going by Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, “the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday, 30th June 2025, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters, and members of the party.”
Those who signed the statement include: Amb. Taofeek Arapaja (Deputy National Chairman, South); Hon. Setonji Koshoedo (Ag. National Secretary); Ahmed Yayari Mohammed (National Treasurer); Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel (National Auditor), and Debo Ologunagba (National Publicity Secretary).
Others are: Dr Woyengikuro Daniel (National Financial Secretary); Ali Odefa (National Vice Chairman, South-East); Emmanuel Ogidi (Caretaker Committee Chair, South-South); Mrs Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm (National Woman Leader); Sen. Bello Hayatu Gwarzo (National Vice Chairman, North-West) and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese (National Vice Chairman, South-West).
But today’s meeting is grossly hampered by the constitutional requirement that the party’s national secretary reserves the sole responsibility of issuing notifications for NEC, Convention and NWC meetings, especially section 36(1)(b).
As the custodian of the party’s common seal, PDP’s failure to address the issue of its national secretary immediately, Senator Anyanwu won the party’s gubernatorial ticket for the Imo State gubernatorial poll last November, put it in the current electoral harm’s way.
Already, concerns are high that the main opposition party may not field candidates for the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship poll and even the 2027 general elections unless today’s expanded caucus meeting comes out with a doctrine of salvation.
Although a member of the party’s Board of Trustees from the South-East noted that the zone mishandled the issue of the national secretary position The Guardian discovered that some prominent stalwarts, including incumbent governors, NWC members, Board of Trustees (BoT), and the National Assembly Caucus, are actively mobilising NEC members to attend the meeting.
They maintain that only the NEC itself could postpone or cancel the meeting, noting that the NWC resolution forwarding the name of Setonji Koshoedo, as acting national secretary, should be activated in the interim.
Recall that on May 5, 2025, PDP wrote to INEC through a letter referenced PDP/DOM/GF.2/Vol 1F/25-061, informed the commission that “at its 600 National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, resolved and directed that the Deputy National Secretary (DNS), Hon (Arc) Setonji Koshoedo, assume office as Acting National Secretary till further notice.”
“We, therefore, wish to officially request that the commission update its records to reflect this change and please accord the acting National Secretary, Hon (Arc) Setonji Koshoedo, all the necessary support to perform his constitutional duties,” the letter noted.
Some chieftains of the party wondered why the acting national chairman, Damagun, sidelined Koshoedo and unilaterally signed the notice for the 100th NEC meeting, only to seek INEC’s input on the contentious secretaryship matter.
Former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswan, pointed to these procedural infractions as he accused Damagun of incompetence and sleight of hand in running the affairs of the PDP.
Today’s meeting promises to be explosive as parties to the misunderstanding will seek to have their way, which could end up as either the demise or the revival of the former leading national party.
Former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Bode George, yesterday, confirmed that the crucial meeting will be held today, affirming that instead of its official designation as a NEC, it would be regarded as an expanded caucus meeting.
While contending that INEC has no legal grounds to prevent any party from convening meetings, George stated: “The law permits political parties to meet as long as the agenda does not include elective matters or the convening of a national convention. INEC’s involvement is only necessary when such issues are being discussed.
“The caucus and Board of Trustees (BoT) meetings will be held as planned. If consensus is reached during those meetings, we may proceed with a full NEC session.”
Similarly, former National Vice Chairman (South-West), Dr Eddy Olafeso, declared that no meeting had been cancelled, except that it may not be called a NEC meeting. “Other critical organs of the PDP will meet today, and we are optimistic that we can find a lasting solution to the leadership impasse and the widening gulf among stakeholders,” he said.
Meanwhile, an INEC official, who craved anonymity, said he could not confirm whether PDP had submitted a new letter of invitation to the Commission after the initial one was rejected for lacking proper authorisation.
“As of now, I’m unaware if the party has sent a new letter after the first one was turned down because it lacked the signatures of both the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Damagum.
“After that rejection, we met with some party stakeholders, and while key issues were raised, those discussions are confidential. Whether the party has since complied with our recommendations, I cannot say,” the official noted.
This is just as the acting National Chairman, Amb. Damagum, PDP Governors Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, along with Chairman of the party’s Reconciliation Committee and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, are advocating a more cautious and conciliatory path.
They argue that convening a stakeholder meeting, not a formal NEC session, would be more appropriate for resolving the current tensions. However, when The Guardian visited the PDP’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, yesterday, there were no visible signs of the usual preparations for a NEC meeting.
Traditionally, organs such as the National Caucus, BoT, and Governors Forum meet a day before NEC sessions to harmonise positions. None of these meetings had taken place as of Sunday mid-day.
Notably, BoT Chairman and former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, who has been vocal in opposing the continued tenure of National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has not convened a BoT session.
An NWC meeting held on Thursday night aimed at finding a middle ground ended inconclusively, failing to ease tensions within the party. The inability to strike a compromise has only deepened the division between camps loyal to and opposed to Anyanwu.
As the crisis escalates, discussions around forming a broad coalition of opposition parties to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 are gaining momentum.
Also, the main opposition party faces further depletion of its ranks through defections to the APC, a trend Saraki acknowledged on Friday during a television interview.
He stated: “We may see one or two governors, and possibly some senators, defect. Unfortunately, the worst may not be over yet,” Saraki said. Still, he expressed optimism that the current turmoil could serve as a timely wake-up call, allowing the PDP enough time to rebuild before the next election cycle.
The Guardian also gathered that leaders from key zonal caucuses, particularly in the South-East and South-South, are seriously considering joining the proposed opposition coalition.
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, the only PDP governor in the South-East and head of the zonal caucus, has reportedly warned that unless the party ratifies Sunday Ude-Okoye as national secretary, the zone may withdraw its support for the PDP.
A concerned member of the National Assembly Caucus expressed frustration over the leadership’s handling of the crisis, saying, “It’s clear we’re not anywhere close to resolving this crisis. Many leaders were stunned by the National Chairman’s unilateral cancellation of the NEC meeting without adequate consultation.”
He noted that signs of goodwill were emerging among stakeholders willing to put the party’s survival above personal interests. “Even if the NEC doesn’t hold, a serious stakeholders’ meeting where tough but honest conversations take place will happen,” he remarked.
For instance, concerns persist that some senior PDP figures are allegedly working behind the scenes to secure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, rather than strengthening the PDP’s chances.
Former National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, voiced this fear during an interview with The Guardian at the weekend. His words: “The real issue is that some influential individuals are trying to hand over the party to Tinubu ahead of 2027. This crisis is part of that plan,” he claimed.
“They’ve made the environment so toxic that many people are now afraid to invest time or money into seeking elective office under the PDP.
“This is not an ordinary power struggle. This is a battle between those who want the PDP to function as a proper opposition and those who prefer to surrender it to Tinubu.”
On the controversial national secretary position, Ologbondiyan warned that even if Anyanwu retains the seat, his camp’s actions might further polarise the party.
“It’s become very complicated. Even if we say, ‘let Anyanwu remain,’ his supporters may take steps that are not in the party’s interest,” he noted.
While the PDP remains Nigeria’s largest opposition party, it finds itself at a critical crossroads, torn between internal power struggles, leadership credibility concerns, looming defections, and a growing appetite for coalition-building as a potential path to political survival in 2027.
