PDP Crisis Worsens as NWC Members Overrule Damagum, Insist Anyanwu Not Reinstated
The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified Wednesday as members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) rejected the purported reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary by Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
Damagum had on Tuesday announced that Anyanwu had been reinstated following a recent meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and also declared that the June 30 meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) would no longer hold. He said the NEC meeting would be replaced by an expanded caucus session to address the party’s internal challenges in accordance with INEC’s concerns.
Reacting, at least 11 members of the NWC, led by Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, opposed the move and declared Damagum’s actions unconstitutional.
They maintained that Anyanwu had not been reinstated and insisted that only the NEC, and not the acting chairman, had the authority to reverse his earlier suspension.
The members cited Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution, which gives the NEC exclusive powers to make such decisions. They recalled that during the party’s 99th NEC meeting, Anyanwu was suspended and Setonji Koshoedo was appointed as Acting National Secretary, a resolution they insist still stands.
They also warned that the party must not set a dangerous precedent by allowing individuals to usurp the collective authority of the NEC.
“The reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu without NEC ratification is a clear violation of the PDP constitution and cannot stand,” Arapaja said in a press briefing in Abuja.
Damagum had explained that his decision was guided by a Supreme Court ruling delivered in March, which recognized Anyanwu as the validly elected National Secretary, and by INEC’s position that notices of NEC meetings must be signed by both the National Chairman and the National Secretary.
According to him, the commission declined to recognize the notice signed by Koshoedo, thereby prompting the change in the meeting’s format.
However, the dissenting NWC members argue that the Supreme Court ruling does not invalidate internal party processes, and that INEC has no authority to dictate how the PDP conducts its internal affairs. They insisted that the June 30 NEC meeting must proceed as planned and Anyanwu’s status be decided through the party’s constitutional mechanisms.
The controversy has exposed deepening divisions within the PDP, with factions forming around influential figures in the party. Damagum is believed to have the support of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and other northern leaders, while the opposing camp reportedly includes Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other southern party leaders.
Former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam also joined the fray, accusing Damagum and some party stakeholders of destroying the party to advance personal interests.
He warned that if the trend of constitutional violations continues, some members may be left with no option but to exit the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite Damagum’s announcement of an expanded caucus meeting, the majority of the NWC and other key stakeholders are insisting that the NEC meeting will still hold on June 30. The outcome of this power struggle is expected to significantly shape the future of the PDP as it prepares for upcoming elections and attempts to rebuild its national presence.
