Amid the growing tensions rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party’s National Working Committee has called for an urgent meeting after Tuesday’s discussion involving PDP governors, senior party leaders, and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ended without resolution.
A senior member of the party, who asked not to be named due to lack of authorisation, confirmed that the emergency meeting would take place on Wednesday. According to the source, INEC told the PDP to rely on its internal structure, party constitution, and related documents to settle its ongoing leadership dispute.
After Tuesday’s closed-door meeting in Abuja, PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, told journalists that the party would meet with its leadership and give a formal reply to INEC within 48 hours. “It was a fruitful discussion. We will go back and meet with our larger stakeholders… and we will come out with a position,” he said.
The PDP has been facing ongoing internal struggles since its loss in the 2015 general elections. Issues like unresolved congress disputes, defections, and leadership crises have continued to weaken the party.
The latest conflict surrounds the position of National Secretary, where Sunday Udeh-Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu are laying rival claims. Anyanwu has the support of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, which has further divided the party.
To calm the situation, the PDP appointed Setonji Koshoedo as acting National Secretary. However, a report from a panel led by Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu stated that INEC still recognised Anyanwu as the legal holder of that office.
Damagum earlier informed INEC about the upcoming 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30. But the letter was rejected by the electoral commission because it was only signed by the chairman and not co-signed by the secretary, as required by INEC procedures. The commission stressed the need to follow laid-down rules.
Speaking at a media briefing on Sunday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated, “INEC has no role in the regular meetings of the NWC or NEC. These are internal party matters, as established by the Supreme Court in numerous rulings.”
However, Damagum later distanced the party from Ologunagba’s comments, calling them “regrettable” and “not discussed in consultation.” This public contradiction has drawn criticism from past party officials.
Former Publicity Secretaries Olisa Metuh and Kola Ologbondiyan both attacked Damagum’s remarks, describing them as damaging to the party’s image and against the PDP constitution.
The meeting with INEC, held at the commission’s headquarters, was attended by prominent figures including Governors Seyi Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Dauda Lawal, and Caleb Muftwang, as well as former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Ahmed Makarfi of the PDP Board of Trustees, and other party veterans.
INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu said, “This meeting is at the instance of the party. They requested to interact with us and our doors are always open to meet with leaders of political parties…”
Yakubu also noted that INEC had been receiving different letters claiming different people as PDP national secretary. At one point, it was Udeh-Okoye, then Anyanwu, then Koshoedo, and later, back to Anyanwu. The most recent letter sent to INEC was not signed by any secretary at all.
He explained, “We are here as the registrar and regulators of political parties… and we hope when we go into the working session we will fully understand where you are coming from…”
After the INEC meeting, PDP leaders regrouped at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja for further discussion. A party insider revealed that the commission did not give a direct answer on the secretary issue but advised the PDP to settle the matter through its constitution and internal leadership.
