The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as rival factions have scheduled parallel meetings today at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja over the contentious national secretary position.
National Chairman Umar Damagum, who recently announced the postponement of the planned National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, confirmed that a stakeholder meeting would hold instead, backed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s faction.
However, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, rejected the postponement and insisted the 100th NEC meeting must proceed as planned.
Speaking last night, Arapaja declared: “The 100th NEC meeting will proceed as scheduled on Monday, 30th June, 2025 at the NEC Hall of the Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja. No group or officer has the power to alter, vary, or veto the date unanimously fixed by the 99th NEC.”
Arapaja also denounced the notice for an expanded National Caucus meeting signed by Anyanwu, describing it as unconstitutional. He stressed: “There is no provision for an ‘Expanded National Caucus’ in our party’s constitution. The NEC remains the highest decision-making body after the National Convention.”
The crisis has split the PDP into two broad camps. Damagum’s faction enjoys the backing of key figures including PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman Bala Mohammed, Senator Bukola Saraki, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and BoT Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi.
On the other side, Arapaja, Makinde, and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah are leading a bloc rejecting Anyanwu’s reinstatement. Mbah reiterated that the Southeast Caucus supports Sunday Ude-Okoye for the secretary role, warning the region may reconsider its loyalty to the party.
Mbah said in Enugu: “The Southeast reserves the right to review our continued membership of the party if the party remains unwilling to respect our stand. The position on the national secretaryship as stated in our communique is sacrosanct.”
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki warned on television that more defections could follow if the stalemate drags on. “We haven’t seen the worst of defections for PDP,” Saraki said. “One or two governors may still defect. But the fact that it’s happening now gives us time to rebuild before 2027.”
Saraki also confirmed that INEC recognises Anyanwu as the legitimate secretary, citing a Supreme Court ruling delivered in March. “INEC clarified its position when PDP leaders met with the commission last week,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PDP has already lost two governors Delta’s Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom’s Umo Eno to the ruling APC.
With both factions standing firm, the PDP risks deeper divisions ahead of its National Convention scheduled for August.
The stakes are high, as Saraki noted: “This is not just about today’s leadership fight. The PDP must evolve, bring in new faces, and offer a real alternative to avoid pushing Nigeria closer to a one-party state. That would be a disaster for democracy.”
Today’s conflicting meetings will test which faction commands greater loyalty within the PDP’s rank and file and may determine whether the party can mend its cracks or split further.
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