PDP crisis festers as, Damagum, NWC issue counter directives

The ongoing division amongst officials of the Peoples Democratic Party became wider on Wednesday, following conflicting directives over the resumption of Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary and the 100th National Executive Committee NEC of the Party.

It all started when Iliya Damagum, the acting national chairman of the party addressed a Press Conference where he said the party cannot hold its 100th NEC meeting earlier scheduled for next Monday, June 30, in difference to the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Damagum also asked Anyanwu to resume his position as the party’s National Secretary, following INEC’s refusal to accept his replacement.

Damagum, while speaking on the meeting with INEC officials which ended in deadlock on Tuesday, said the stakeholders later met at the Bauchi Governors’ lodge and took decision to allow Anyanwu resume as the party’s National Secretary

“We met with some of our Governors, the Governors Forum Chairman, the BOT and the caucus of the National Assembly.

“And today I convened a critical meeting of the NWC, even though it was a short notice, some of the members are not here.

He disclosed that members had an extensive meeting and critical issues were discussed, adding that ” We know where our problem is.”

Damagum, who stated that INEC is playing it’s role as “regulator”, said: ” they have told us their position as it is, as it affects the issue surrounding the National Secretary.”

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“We are all aware that the National Secretary is a signatory of this party. It is a critical position that he holds. As such, we have decided to abide by the advice they gave us, especially as we have a very, very important election before us, that is the FCT election and we are running out of time. So we have no option but to abide by the decision, he said.

“After due consultation and everything, we thought it’s a bitter pill and we have to swallow it. I want to use this opportunity to call on all our party faithful to know that it was a difficult decision. But the survival of the party is more than all of us, more than everything that you feel that you know and yearn for.

“So I want to use this opportunity to tell you that we will do the right thing and it is the decision of most members of this party led by the organs of the party.

“The leaders of the organs of the party will have an expanded caucus, so that we will discuss extensively the way forward to NEC.

“That would be on the 30th, we will issue the notice there is not going to be NEC, but an expanded caucus.

“As it is, like they told us, they don’t have any notice of NEC meeting from us because I was the only person that signed, and we have not followed the guidelines. So that caucus will take a decision for NEC as well as all critical issues brought before us and leading to our national convention.”

He stated that “Anyanwu will resume as the National Secretary. I think that’s the most important thing”.

But in their reaction, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), rejected Damagum’s position, saying that they will stand by the earlier decision of the party’s 99th NEC to convene the NEC on Monday as scheduled.

The statement was signed by Taofeek Arapaja -Deputy National Chairman (South), Setonji Koshoedo -Ag. National Secretary/DNS, Okechukwu Obiechina -Daniel- National Auditor and Debo Ologunagba- National Publicity Secretary

Others who also signed the statement include; Woyengikuro Daniel, -National Financial Secretary, Ali Odefa -National Vice Chairman (SE), Emmanuel Ogidi -Caretaker Committee Chairman (SS), Darasimi D. Bryhm -National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese -National Vice Chairman (SW)

They insisted that they will abide by the decision of the party at its 99th NEC

They also rejected Damagum’s earlier claim that Ologuagba did not speak for the party when he insisted that the NEC meeting will hold as planned

“Acting National Chairman in the said public statement purportedly stated that Hon. Debo Ologunagba was not authorized by the National Working Committee to make his comments on the scheduled 100th NEC meeting.

“It is important to clarify that the comments made by the National Publicity Secretary at that media session with regard to the scheduled 100th NEC meeting is the position of the party and he has the authority and backing of the NWC.

“The scheduling of the 100th NEC meeting on Monday, 30th June, 2025 is the unanimous decision reached by NEC at its 99th meeting held on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025 which was clearly stated in the Communique publicly read by the Acting National Chairman.

“The NWC and indeed all other Organs, officers, chapters and bodies of the PDP are bound by the decision of NEC which is to hold its 100th meeting on Monday, 30th June, 2025.

It is not immediately clear who will now preside over the meeting of NEC, if it holds and whether its decision will be binding on the party.