The internal conflict within the Peoples Democratic Party escalated on Wednesday as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike disagreed over the planned date for the party’s 100th National Executive Committee meeting and the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.

Makinde’s faction, which includes Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), 11 members of the NWC, and several key figures, insists that the NEC meeting must proceed on June 30 as scheduled. They are also against the return of Anyanwu as National Secretary.

On the other side, Wike’s supporters — Governors Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Adamu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) — support Anyanwu’s reinstatement and a postponement of the NEC meeting.

This heightened tension follows Damagum’s recent visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja with senior party officials for a fact-finding session.

During a press briefing at the party’s national secretariat, Damagum announced Anyanwu’s reinstatement and the cancellation of the 100th NEC meeting, citing support from most members. However, 11 out of 19 National Working Committee members opposed this move and stood firm on holding the NEC on June 30.

Since its 2015 electoral loss, the PDP has battled internal instability including leadership struggles, defections, and unresolved congress issues. Setonji Koshoedo was named acting National Secretary to manage the situation, but a committee led by Governor Agbu revealed that INEC still recognized Anyanwu as the rightful National Secretary.

The 99th NEC had scheduled the 100th meeting for June 30, with Damagum informing INEC via a letter dated May 30. However, INEC rejected the notice, stating the party’s internal rules require co-signatures from both the National Chairman and National Secretary, urging proper compliance.

PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba later stated during a press interaction that INEC’s role is only to acknowledge internal notifications, not oversee or approve them. But Damagum distanced the party from that stance, labeling it a personal opinion.

Joined by Bala Mohammed, Bukola Saraki, and other top party members, Damagum declared that an expanded National Caucus meeting would replace the NEC on June 30. He said this forum would evaluate the party’s direction and lead up to the national convention. According to him, “Anyanwu will resume as the National Secretary. I think that’s the most important thing.”

He explained that the move, though tough, was necessary for the PDP’s stability and in line with INEC’s feedback. He added that the decision was made after broad consultation and with the upcoming FCT election in mind.

Umar Bature, National Organising Secretary, justified Anyanwu’s return as an act of compliance with a Supreme Court ruling. In his words, “Bowed to Supreme Court’s judgment.”

Six deputy national officers, including Timothy Osadolor, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Okechukwu Osuoha, Hajia Maryam, Adamu Kamale, and Chubby Eneh, also expressed support for Anyanwu’s return. They described it as a step toward unity and emphasized the need to address the crisis with dialogue, not confrontation.

Their joint statement praised the decision of the party leadership, including Umar Damagum, PDP Governors, National Assembly caucus led by Senator Abba Moro, and the committee led by Senator Abubakar Saraki, for organizing an expanded caucus meeting on June 30 to find lasting solutions and prepare for the national convention. They also appreciated the NWC for “respecting the Supreme Court judgment the way it has always obeyed all court judgments. It shows consistency and commitment to the rule of law.”

The statement urged all stakeholders to attend the June 30 meeting, stressing that “PDP is our home; we owe it a duty to survive by always doing what is right.”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike, condemned Damagum’s directive to Anyanwu to resume at the party secretariat. Speaking during the commissioning of a bridge in Abuja, Wike criticized the action, saying, “I watched on national television and heard the acting national chairman directing the national secretary to resume. The national secretary is not your appointee.”

He accused Damagum of weak leadership and described the PDP’s visit to INEC as “ignorant and shameful,” warning against misinterpreting legal processes and letting personal interests lead the party astray.

In response, the 11 NWC members reiterated their position that the NEC meeting would proceed as scheduled. They rejected Damagum’s comments as misleading and contrary to the 99th NEC resolution. They emphasized that no individual or party organ has the authority to override NEC decisions.

They declared, “The attention of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to a press briefing by the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, 25th June, 2025 wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, 30th June, 2025.”

They maintained that under the PDP constitution amended in 2017, only NEC or the National Convention holds the supreme authority to make binding resolutions. According to Section 31(3), the NEC decision for the June 30 meeting is binding on all party organs and members.

The 11 NWC signatories included Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Hon. Setonji Koshoedo, Hon. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, Sir. Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, Woyengikuro Daniel, High Chief Ali Odefa, Hon. Emmanuel Ogidi, Hon. Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, Sen. Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, and Hon. Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese.

Meanwhile, Chief Bode George refuted claims that Anyanwu’s reinstatement showed Wike’s control of the PDP. The PDP BoT member insisted that NEC remains the deciding body, and the outcome of the June 30 meeting would clarify the party’s direction.

George appealed to both sides to remain calm, adding that “NEC is the final authority before the convention.” He explained that “whatever decision that is taken at NEC is final,” and any interpretation of Anyanwu’s return should be considered an internal matter to be resolved within party frameworks.

He urged party members to focus on unity ahead of 2027, warning against framing the issue as a battle of winners and losers. “Our party is not like the APC, which is owned by an individual. We are begging all sides to give peace a chance. We will resolve this, but I must add that an individual cannot be bigger than this party,” he said.

Dr. Chidi Lloyd, former Rivers State House of Assembly leader and ally to Wike, praised the NWC’s decision, saying it was “a victory for our democracy.” He noted that “Anyanwu was never removed in the first place and so could not have been reinstated.”

Lloyd called for a united front within the PDP as the 2027 elections approach. He said, “this is the best opportunity for the leaders of the party to come together and resolve all the crises, so, that we can forge ahead for a better tomorrow.”