The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally restored Senator Samuel Anyanwu as its National Secretary, bringing an end to weeks of internal disagreements over the job that endangered party unity before vital elections. The decision was made during the party's 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, June 30, 2025, and announced by Umar Damagum, the interim National Chairman.
The debate over the National Secretary job erupted earlier in June when internal PDP groups argued over the validity of Anyanwu's term. The party's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had rejected the PDP's notice for the NEC meeting since the invitation was signed exclusively by Damagum without the co-signature of a qualified National Secretary, as required by INEC's 2022 criteria. This rejection emphasized the continuing secretaryship dispute and called into doubt the authenticity of party records and decisions.
Following a contentious meeting with INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, the PDP leadership agreed to restore Anyanwu to guarantee compliance with electoral laws and to protect the party's participation in the next Federal Capital Territory (FCT) election and other electoral competitions. Damagum called the reinstatement a "bitter pill" that the party has to chew in order to retain its electoral integrity and togetherness.
At the NEC meeting, which was attended by major party players including governors, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and PDP Governors' Forum Chairman Bala Mohammed, the committee overwhelmingly backed Senator Anyanwu's return as substantive National Secretary. Damagum stressed that the decision was taken to comply with INEC recommendations and prepare for a smooth national convention later in July.
The NEC has also planned its 101st meeting for July 23, 2025, to finish plans for the party's national convention, indicating a desire to restore order and concentrate on the party's strategic goals.
Despite the NEC's unanimity, the reinstatement and cancellation of the previously planned NEC meeting on June 30 were greeted with opposition from certain party members. Eleven of the nineteen members of the National Working Committee (NWC) criticized Damagum's unilateral decision to cancel the NEC meeting and reinstall Anyanwu without further consultation. The PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), chaired by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, opposed the cancelation of the NEC meeting and Anyanwu's restoration, calling the moves unlawful and a breach of the PDP constitution.
The BoT underlined that only the NEC or the National Convention had the ability to make such choices, and it reiterated the importance of NEC resolutions, which are obligatory on all party organs. They also backed the NWC's selection of Setonji Koshoedo as interim national secretary in order to temporarily resolve the dispute.
The conflict escalated when PDP employees at the national office staged a walkout, accusing Anyanwu of being a destabilizing factor inside the party. This demonstration highlighted the PDP's profound differences, with some groups supporting Anyanwu, including key personalities such as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, while others remained opposed.
The party's internal strife was exacerbated by inconsistent remarks from party leaders. For example, Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary, maintained that INEC had no power to meddle in the party's internal affairs, a view that Damagum rejected, calling the statement inappropriate.
The restoration of Anyanwu and the settlement of the secretaryship controversy are seen as critical moves by the PDP as it prepares for the national convention and future elections. The party leadership has stated a desire to repair internal schisms while concentrating on electoral success, particularly in the FCT election, which is seen as a test of the party's organizational strength and unity.
The July 23 NEC meeting is anticipated to strengthen these efforts, with party officials hoping to show a unified front. The PDP's capacity to overcome internal issues and follow constitutional procedures would be vital to sustaining its position as a significant political force in Nigeria.
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