The crisis rocking Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), worsened on Tuesday after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed that it still recognises Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.
Anyanwu is a known loyalist of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. His recognition by INEC is seen as a major setback for PDP governors and party members who want him removed.
Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State led a three-member committee to find out INEC’s position.
Kefas told the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja that “INEC confirmed Senator Anyanwu remains the party’s secretary in line with a Supreme Court judgment.”
The NEC now plans to meet again on June 30 to continue the process of removing Anyanwu. INEC has made it clear that the party must give 21 days’ notice and allow the commission to observe the process of removing or replacing any official.
A party source told The PUNCH, “The NEC received the South-East petition and agreed to revisit the issue at the next meeting. INEC insists it must be properly informed and involved in the process.”
The move has angered Wike, who accused PDP leaders of breaking promises made to him during peace talks. On Sunday, he pulled out of the party’s reconciliation efforts, blaming Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Peter Mbah (Enugu) for the crisis.
Meanwhile, former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s peace committee met with key stakeholders on Sunday night, but no clear outcome has been reported.
At Tuesday’s NEC meeting, things got heated when Jones Onyereri, Anyanwu’s running mate in the last Imo governorship election, argued that Ali Odefa, the South-East Zonal Vice Chairman, had been suspended by a court ruling and should not be recognised. He was asked to submit a formal petition at the next NEC meeting.
Acting PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum confirmed in a statement after the meeting that the NEC had received the Southeast resolution about Anyanwu’s position.
“The matter will be considered at the next NEC meeting scheduled for June 30,” Damagum said.
Despite the tension, the NEC approved plans for the party’s National Convention, to be held from August 28 to 30, 2025. It also ratified the zoning and convention committees.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, said party leaders were facing serious pressure. “We are going through a lot—intimidation, political pressure, and attempts to cause defection. But we remain strong and committed,” he said.
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Also speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, admitted the party’s troubles are mostly self-inflicted.
He called on party leaders to “forgive, dialogue, and put the interest of the party above personal ambition.”
He urged PDP members to choose unity over division and to return to the grassroots with a renewed spirit to reclaim power at the national level.
“Let this 99th meeting be remembered as a turning point,” Wabara said.
The PDP has been struggling with internal problems since before the 2023 general elections, including disagreements in Rivers State, disputes in the South-South and South-East regions, and the fight over the national secretary position. These problems have led to multiple postponements of NEC meetings and the defection of key members, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to the ruling APC.
As the June 30 meeting approaches, party watchers say all eyes will be on whether the PDP can overcome its internal crisis or fall deeper into division.