The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing deepening internal conflicts, prompting the party’s governors to convene an emergency meeting in Asaba, Delta State, on Friday. This decision follows a chaotic Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, where a disagreement between party members turned into a heated altercation.
The tension escalated when supporters of Senator Samuel Anyanwu clashed with the former PDP Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye. Sources within the party revealed that the governors’ meeting aims to address key issues troubling the party, including the ongoing leadership dispute and preparations for the upcoming zonal congresses.
Acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, acknowledged the crisis, attributing it to party leaders who, instead of fostering unity, are fueling division. He assured party members that he would make every effort to hold the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in February, as requested by the PDP Governors Forum.
A senior member of the National Working Committee (NWC), speaking anonymously, disclosed that BoT members protested the assault on Ude-Okoye during the Wednesday meeting. The incident further deepened the divide between factions supporting either Anyanwu or Ude-Okoye, both of whom claim the position of National Secretary.
The primary agenda for the upcoming governors’ meeting, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, includes discussions on the NEC meeting, the National Secretary dispute, and a review of the party’s overall state. Party insiders note that the crisis has persisted since the 2023 elections, with many members accusing Damagum of aligning too closely with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, a factor some believe is worsening internal conflicts.
Currently, various PDP structures, including the NWC, BoT, and state chapters, are embroiled in disputes, with members taking sides among different power blocs. Reports suggest that disagreements between Wike, Governor Mohammed, and other party figures have further fueled the discord.
Damagum, while addressing the BoT, expressed disappointment over the situation, noting that some leaders were actively working against party unity. He warned against creating chaos to serve personal ambitions, saying, “You may have ambition, but you don’t ride on a dead horse to reach your destination.”
BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara also voiced his frustration, urging leaders to put party interests above personal gains. He emphasized the urgent need for the NEC meeting to take place as scheduled in February, warning that further delays could weaken the party’s credibility.
During the Wednesday BoT meeting, chaos erupted when Anyanwu’s supporters allegedly attacked Ude-Okoye. Witnesses said Ude-Okoye was speaking when he was abruptly interrupted and forced out of the hall. Security operatives, including police and Civil Defence personnel, had to intervene to restore order.
After tensions cooled, Ude-Okoye was allowed to re-enter the meeting, and party leaders demanded an apology from those who assaulted him. The BoT ultimately acknowledged both Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye’s legal claims to the National Secretary position and tasked a former Minister of National Planning, Tanimu Turaki, with mediating the dispute.
Meanwhile, notable PDP leaders such as former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, as well as former Senate President Bukola Saraki, were absent from the BoT meeting. However, the Bauchi governor and other key figures sent apologies for their absence.
Reacting to the turmoil, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) mocked the PDP’s leadership crisis, calling it a “political drama.” APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, stated that the PDP lacks structure and discipline, adding that “The APC is watching the drama with all the funfair coming out of it.”
