The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as its National Secretary and suspended its planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30, following a directive from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The announcement was made on Wednesday during a press conference at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum. Flanked by prominent party leaders including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Damagum described the decisions as difficult but essential for party unity and survival.
“In light of INEC’s position and our internal regulations, we’ve resolved that Senator Samuel Anyanwu will resume his role as National Secretary,” Damagum said. “Instead of a NEC meeting, we will hold an expanded National Caucus meeting on June 30 to discuss critical party issues and the path forward.”
INEC had earlier rejected the party’s notice for the NEC meeting, stating that the correspondence was invalid since it was signed solely by the Acting National Chairman without the co-signature of the National Secretary, as required by the party’s constitution.
The dispute stems from a prolonged power tussle between Anyanwu and Sunday Udeh-Okoye over the National Secretary position—an impasse that further deepened internal divisions and delayed key party activities.
To manage the instability, the PDP had previously appointed Setonji Koshoedo as Acting National Secretary. However, a fact-finding committee led by Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu confirmed that INEC still recognises Anyanwu as the legitimate officeholder.
Damagum noted that the party was left with little choice but to comply with INEC’s directive, especially with the fast-approaching FCT council elections. “It’s a bitter pill, but we must swallow it,” he said. “The survival of the party is bigger than any individual.”
The PDP has struggled with internal crises since losing power in 2015, including leadership conflicts, regional disputes, and mass defections. The latest episode underscores the urgency for internal cohesion ahead of key electoral contests.
Meanwhile, controversy also emerged over comments by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who downplayed INEC’s authority over party decisions. Damagum distanced the party from those remarks, labelling them as “personal opinions” that lacked proper consultation.
As the PDP regroups, attention now shifts to the expanded National Caucus meeting, which is expected to lay the groundwork for future NEC sessions and the party’s national convention.
