By Abiola Olawale
The internal crisis rocking Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has intensified as the National Working Committee (NWC) publicly denounced Acting National Chairman Ambassador Iliya Umar Damagum’s attempt to reinstate Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary and cancel the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30, 2025.
The PDP’s ongoing leadership tussle took a dramatic turn on Wednesday when 11 NWC members issued a strongly worded statement rejecting Damagum’s unilateral decisions.
The NWC, in a press briefing, declared that the Acting Chairman lacked the authority to reinstate Anyanwu or alter the NEC meeting plans, accusing him of overstepping his bounds and exacerbating the party’s internal divisions.
The statement was endorsed by Deputy National Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Acting National Secretary, Hon. Setonji Koshoedo, National Treasurer, Hon. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Auditor. Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel; National Publicity Secretary Hon. Debo Ologunagba; National Financial Secretary Dr. Woyengikuro Daniel; National Vice Chairman (South East) High Chief Ali Odefa; Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South) Hon. Emmanuel Ogidi; National Woman Leader Hon. Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm; Senator Hayatu Bello Gwarzo; and National Vice Chairman (South West) Hon. Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese.
They stated: “The resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday, 30th June 2025, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters, and members of the Party.
“The claim by Amb. Damagum that Sen. Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the Party is therefore misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC,” the NWC said.
The party’s leadership reaffirmed that “the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, 30th June 2025, has not been canceled or postponed,” making it clear that Damagum’s comments and actions have no constitutional weight.
The deepening internal rift within the PDP is raising fresh concerns about the unity and stability of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Several party leaders have warned that unresolved conflicts could threaten the PDP’s cohesion and electoral competitiveness, possibly leading to factional divisions and questions around the legitimacy of leadership decisions.
Meanwhile, the spotlight remains on how the PDP will navigate its internal crisis and whether the scheduled NEC meeting will restore order or further expose rifts within the party’s leadership.
