The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faces serious internal conflict as two powerful factions hold separate meetings today, amid disagreement over who should serve as the party’s National Secretary and whether the 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting should take place.
The camp loyal to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State insists the NEC meeting will go ahead today as earlier scheduled, while supporters of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike are pushing for a different meeting — an “Expanded National Caucus” — and want the NEC meeting postponed.
Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, declared on Sunday night that the NEC meeting would go on as planned.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NWC assures all party members that the 100th NEC meeting will proceed as scheduled tomorrow, Monday, 30th June, 2025.nNo organ or officer of the party has the power to change or cancel the NEC meeting,” Arapaja said during a press conference in Abuja.
The NEC meeting is expected to address key issues, including preparations for the National Convention scheduled for August and updates from the zoning committee.
The crisis centers on the position of National Secretary. While the PDP had appointed Setonji Koshoedo as acting secretary, another group wants Senator Samuel Anyanwu reinstated. INEC reportedly still recognizes Anyanwu as the official National Secretary, adding more tension to the matter.
On June 25, Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum announced the reinstatement of Anyanwu and the postponement of the NEC meeting. He said the decision had majority support, including from Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Instead, they scheduled an “Expanded National Caucus” meeting for today.
However, 11 out of 18 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) disagreed. They insisted that Anyanwu’s reinstatement was not approved by the NEC and that the NEC meeting must proceed.
“The claim by Damagum that Sen. Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume office is misleading. The 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, 30th June, 2025, has not been cancelled or postponed,” the NWC 11 said in a joint statement
A party source aligned with Governor Makinde told The PUNCH: “PDP is bigger than any individual. The 99th NEC scheduled today’s meeting and we have made all preparations to ensure it happens.”
Meanwhile, Damagum’s camp insists that today’s gathering is not a NEC meeting but a special caucus meeting.
“Individuals cannot force the party to hold NEC when it could lead to crisis,” said one source from the Wike camp.
A formal invitation circulated by Senator Anyanwu described today’s event as a “Special Expanded National Caucus Meeting,” stating that attendance is by invitation only.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State also supported the NEC meeting. After meeting with Makinde and other party leaders in Enugu on Sunday, he expressed frustration with the party’s leadership crisis.
“I am simply fed up with the shenanigans that have more or less made the party an endless circus. The position of the South East Zonal Executive Committee on the issue of the National Secretary must be respected,” Mbah said.
The PDP has struggled with internal strife since losing power in 2015. Today’s showdown may shape the future of Nigeria’s main opposition party, as party members battle over control, legitimacy, and direction.
The outcome of today’s meetings will reveal which group holds more power — and whether the PDP can hold itself together ahead of the next general elections