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The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened as two rival factions scheduled conflicting meetings at the party’s national secretariat today, both laying claim to the authority to convene the crucial 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The controversy stems from the ongoing tussle over the office of National Secretary. Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum had announced a postponement of the NEC meeting, citing a prior engagement with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In its place, he scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting, jointly signed by him and Senator Samuel Anyanwu—whose controversial reinstatement he supports.
However, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, rejected Anyanwu’s recognition. Arapaja, supported by ten other National Working Committee (NWC) members, insisted that only the NEC itself—at its 99th session—has the authority to fix or alter the date of its meetings. He maintained that the 100th NEC meeting, fixed for June 30th, must proceed as scheduled.
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah also backed Arapaja’s position, warning that the reinstatement of Anyanwu could alienate the Southeast Caucus, which supports Sunday Ude-Okoye for the National Secretary position.
The faction loyal to Damagum includes Bauchi State Governor and PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman Bala Mohammed, former Senate President and Strategy Committee Chair Senator Bukola Saraki, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and BoT Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi.
Opposing them are notable figures such as BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, BoT member Chief Olabode George, Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, alongside Makinde, Mbah, and Arapaja.
Despite the conflicting claims, Arapaja confirmed that the NEC meeting will proceed at 9 a.m. at the PDP national secretariat. He reiterated that the NEC remains the party’s highest decision-making body after the National Convention, and its decisions are binding under Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
Meanwhile, Anyanwu circulated a notice for an “Expanded National Caucus Meeting” at 2 p.m., a move dismissed by Arapaja’s group as unconstitutional. The NWC issued a statement clarifying that no such body exists in the PDP constitution and that the said notice should be disregarded.
The NEC meeting is expected to deliberate on key matters, including updates from the Zoning Committee and preparations for the National Convention scheduled for August 28–30, 2025.