PDP in Turmoil: Two Meetings, One Party, Deep Divisions Emerge Ahead of Crucial Abuja Gathering
June 30, 2025 – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) finds itself at a critical juncture today, as deep internal divisions threaten to overshadow its scheduled National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja. What was meant to be the party's 100th NEC gathering has devolved into a battle for legitimacy, with two distinct factions issuing conflicting directives for today's proceedings.
At the heart of the crisis are two warring camps:
The NWC's Stand vs. The Acting Chairman's Maneuver:
The National Working Committee (NWC) faction, led by Deputy National Chairman (South) Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja and supported by 11 other NWC members, insists that today marks the legitimate 100th NEC meeting. They cite a unanimous agreement from the May 27, 2025, 99th NEC meeting, emphasizing the binding nature of the schedule. This faction anticipates receiving vital updates from the Zoning Committee and the National Convention Organising Committee, paving the way for the party's National Convention slated for August 28-30, 2025.
In a move seen by many as an attempt to circumvent the NEC, the Acting National Chairman's faction, spearheaded by Umar Damagum and backed by the recently reinstated National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has rebranded today's gathering as a "Special Expanded National Caucus Meeting." Anyanwu's formal invitation lists a broad array of stakeholders for this 2:00 p.m. meeting at the NEC Hall, a move the NWC views as a direct challenge to the party's established protocols.
The Contentious National Secretary Position:
The role of National Secretary, currently occupied by Samuel Anyanwu, is a major flashpoint. While Damagum's camp reinstated Anyanwu, both the NWC and the powerful Board of Trustees (BoT) had previously rejected this decision, firmly demanding the NEC meeting proceed as planned. Adding to the procedural chaos, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has flagged the notification for the NEC meeting, which was signed solely by Damagum, as non-compliant with regulations requiring the joint signatures of both the National Chairman and National Secretary.
A Battle for Control:
These conflicting directives underscore a profound leadership struggle within the PDP. Both factions are reportedly engaged in intense mobilization efforts, vying to secure the attendance and loyalty of key stakeholders to their respective meetings. Whispers of a major showdown between political heavyweights Nyesom Wike and Seyi Makinde's camps further fuel the tension, suggesting a deeper power play at work.
Who's Invited to the "Caucus Meeting"?
According to Anyanwu's notice, the "Expanded National Caucus Meeting" is slated to host:
Statutory members of the national caucus
Deputy national officers
Board of Trustees (BoT) members
All state chairmen
Members of the PDP caucus in the National Assembly
Former NWC members (still with the party)
National ex-officio members
Former PDP governors (still with the party)
Immediate past gubernatorial candidates (who remain within the party)
What's at Stake?
The outcome of today's events – whether a single, legitimate meeting or a fractured, parallel gathering – will be paramount for the PDP's future. It will not only expose the true depth of the party's internal power struggles but also critically influence its stability and readiness for upcoming elections, particularly the highly anticipated National Convention. As the PDP grapples with lingering disharmony and old rivalries, this "100th NEC meeting" has undeniably become a pivotal moment in the party's turbulent history.
