The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition, is in the grip of a deep internal crisis. Today, Monday, June 30, 2025, Abuja is set to witness a major confrontation as rival factions clash over two critical issues: the rightful occupant of the National Secretary position and the nature of a crucial party meeting. What was initially announced as the 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting has become a flashpoint, with some leaders pushing for a full NEC session while others advocate for an “Expanded National Caucus” gathering. This ongoing discord highlights the party’s persistent struggles since losing power in 2015.
Two Sides, Two Agendas
The current turmoil stems from a clear split within the PDP leadership. Two prominent camps have emerged, each with distinct views on the party’s immediate future and the vital role of National Secretary.
One powerful faction, led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, along with Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), firmly insists on holding the 100th NEC meeting as planned today. This group is also strongly opposed to the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary. This stance is supported by 11 out of 18 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and other influential party figures. They view the NEC meeting as the most authoritative body after the National Convention, crucial for the party’s adherence to its constitution and overall survival.
On the other side, the camp aligned with former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike holds a different view. This group includes Governors Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Adamu Fintiri (Adamawa), and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), alongside Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN). Their primary objective is the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu. To facilitate this, they advocate for postponing the NEC meeting and instead holding an “Expanded National Caucus” meeting. They believe this broader gathering would allow for more comprehensive discussion among party members who are not part of the NEC, potentially easing tensions and finding solutions to outstanding issues without the immediate confrontation a NEC meeting might bring.
The Contentious National Secretary Position
The dispute over the National Secretary role has been a significant trigger for the current crisis. Initially, Setonji Koshoedo was appointed acting National Secretary to bring stability. However, this temporary arrangement was challenged by a fact-finding committee’s report.
The committee, led by Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu, found that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) still officially recognized Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the legitimate holder of the office. This revelation added a new layer of complexity.
Following this, the 99th NEC meeting on May 27 had agreed to schedule the 100th NEC meeting for June 30. Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum communicated this to INEC. However, INEC declined to acknowledge the notification, citing a procedural issue: PDP’s internal rules require such communications to be co-signed by both the National Chairman and the National Secretary. INEC advised the party to comply with its own constitution, highlighting the unresolved status of the National Secretary.
Public Statements Deepen the Divide
The internal disagreements quickly spilled into the public, intensifying the already tense atmosphere. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, asserted in a press conference that INEC’s role was limited to receiving party notifications, not interfering in internal affairs. This statement, intended to push back against INEC, unexpectedly became another point of contention.
Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum swiftly disavowed Ologunagba’s remarks, publicly calling them personal views that lacked broad consultation and were regrettable. This public disagreement between two senior officials underscored the deep rift within the NWC and the absence of a unified party stance.
Just a day after Damagum met with INEC officials, he made a pivotal announcement that further fueled the conflict. At a June 25 press conference, Damagum declared Senator Anyanwu’s reinstatement as National Secretary and, crucially, the postponement of the 100th NEC meeting. He presented these decisions as difficult but necessary, claiming the backing of most party stakeholders. He announced that an Expanded National Caucus meeting would now take place on June 30, effectively replacing the scheduled NEC meeting. This move, supported by prominent figures like Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, clearly showed one faction’s intent to reshape the party’s immediate agenda.
The NWC Divide: A Battle for Control
The NWC, the party’s administrative engine, found itself at the heart of this power struggle. Six deputy national officers publicly endorsed Anyanwu’s return, hailing it as a party victory and supporting the June 30 National Caucus meeting proposed by Damagum.
However, a majority of NWC members, 11 out of 18, rejected Anyanwu’s reinstatement. They firmly restated their commitment to holding the NEC meeting on June 30 as scheduled. In a separate statement, these 11 NWC members stood firm, insisting the NEC meeting would proceed as planned. They explicitly stated that Damagum’s claim about Anyanwu’s resumption was “misleading” and “contrary to the resolution of NEC,” adding that “the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, 30th June, 2025, has not been cancelled or postponed.”
Constitutional Adherence: Makinde’s Camp’s Stance
Sources close to the Makinde camp emphasized the critical importance of adhering to the party’s constitution. A top party source, speaking anonymously, stated, “It is a matter of survival for the major opposition party in Nigeria. PDP is bigger than any individual, and the most supreme organ of the party after the National Convention is NEC. And the 99th NEC on May 27 scheduled the 100th NEC for June 30.”
This source confirmed extensive preparations for the NEC meeting, including printed documents for accreditation. While acknowledging attempts to derail the meeting, the source affirmed their readiness to uphold the party’s constitution. Invitations for the 100th NEC meeting were sent out, with a clear rule that “only NEC members will be allowed access to the venue. Every other issue will be resolved there.”
Arapaja’s Definitive Stance: NEC Meeting to Proceed
On Sunday night, PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, flanked by other NWC members, unequivocally stated that the 100th NEC meeting would indeed hold today. He assured all party members that the meeting would proceed as scheduled at the NEC Hall of the Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja.
Arapaja clarified that the meeting would, among other things, “receive updates on the activities of the Zoning Committee and the National Convention Organizing Committee.” He stressed that the 100th meeting was unanimously scheduled by NEC at its 99th meeting on May 27, 2025. Citing Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution, Arapaja asserted that the June 30 date for the 100th NEC meeting is binding on all organs and members. He emphatically stated that no organ, group, or officer has the power to alter or convert an already convened NEC meeting.
Dismissing notices circulating on social media about the NEC meeting being converted to a “Special Expanded National Caucus meeting,” Arapaja declared they “did not emanate from the PDP and should be disregarded.” He further stressed that the PDP Constitution has no provision for an “Expanded National Caucus,” making any such suggestion “unconstitutional” and unable to make decisions for the party.
Arapaja concluded by emphasizing the PDP’s foundation on strict adherence to the Rule of Law and internal democracy, values that “must be protected and preserved at all time.”
Wike’s Camp Reiterates National Caucus Meeting
Despite Arapaja’s firm stance, sources from the Wike camp insisted that today’s meeting would be a National Caucus meeting, not a NEC session. One source stated, “The meeting tomorrow (today) is the National Caucus and not the NEC meeting. The acting National Chairman announced this last week after the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary.”
This camp argues that the “extended National Caucus will give room to numerous members of our party that are not part of NEC to deliberate and come up with ways that will help resolve the pending issues.” They expressed a desire to avoid potential conflict, saying, “So, individuals cannot force the party to hold NEC when it could lead to crisis and even personal confrontation.”
Senator Samuel Anyanwu himself issued a notice on Sunday, confirming that participation in the “expanded National Caucus meeting” would be strictly by invitation, further solidifying the Wike camp’s position on the nature of today’s gathering.
Diverse Leadership Views
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State expressed support for the NWC, BoT, and South East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) positions, backing today’s NEC meeting. He stated his frustration with the party’s internal squabbles, noting the South East ZEC’s resolve to re-evaluate its future with the party if its stance on the National Secretary issue isn’t respected.
Former PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Olabode George, adopted a pragmatic approach, stating he would attend the meeting regardless of its name. He emphasized the need for open and honest dialogue to resolve the crisis.
Kola Ologbondiyan, former PDP National Publicity Secretary, firmly asserted that today’s meeting is a NEC session, stressing the party’s obligation to uphold its resolutions.
Senator Ibrahim Tsauri, another former National Secretary, echoed similar views about the NEC meeting. He acknowledged the complexity of the situation due to the split within the NWC and BoT but remained optimistic about the party’s ability to resolve the crisis.
Eddy Olafeso, former National Vice Chairman (South West), maintained a pragmatic outlook, focusing on the leaders dealing with the issues at the meeting rather than speculating.
The Ruling Party’s Perspective
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been observing the PDP’s crisis. Bala Ibrahim, APC Director of Publicity, viewed the situation as evidence of the PDP’s decline, calling it “a dying party” unfit for governance. He suggested the crisis reinforces the APC’s image as a cohesive party.
A Pivotal Day for the PDP
Today, June 30, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for the Peoples Democratic Party. The deep divisions over the National Secretary position and the nature of today’s gathering will undoubtedly come to a head. The outcome will significantly impact the party’s stability, adherence to its constitution, and future as a formidable opposition force in Nigerian politics.