PDP CRISIS WORSENS AS 11 NWC MEMBERS DISAGREE WITH CHAIRMAN, DAMAGUM, SAYS ANYANWU CANNOT RETURN AS SECRETARY AND NEC MEETING MUST GO ON AS SCHEDULED

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Baba Martins

The crisis rocking the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn as 11 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) have rejected the reinstatement of embattled National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.At a press conference earlier on Wednesday, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, Acting National Chairman of the party, announced the reinstatement of Anyanwu, but acknowledged that it was a painful decision.

He also announced postponement of the June 30th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, saying a caucus meeting would take place.

The development followed a meeting which the party leaders had with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

But hours after Damagum’s position was made public, the 11 NWC members said Damagum lacked the powers to take such actions.

They also insisted that the NEC meeting had not been postponed.

The rejection notice was signed by Amb. Taofeek Arapaja – Deputy National Chairman (South), Hon. (Arc) Setonji Koshoedo – Acting National Secretary, Hon. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed – National Treasurer, Sir. Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel – National Auditor and Hon. Debo Ologunagba – National Publicity Secretary.

Others are, Woyengikuro Daniel Ph.D – National Financial Secretary, High Chief Ali Odefa – National Vice Chairman (South East), Hon. Emmanuel Ogidi- Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South), Hon. Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm – National Woman Leader, Senator Hayatu Bello Gwarzo and Hon. Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese – National Vice Chairman (South West).

“The attention of the “National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, 25th June, 2025 wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, 30th June, 2025.”

“The Acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the Party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to 100th NEC meeting.

“The pronouncements by the Acting National Chairman have no foundation as no Organ of the Party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017),” they said in the notice.

They also contended that for the avoidance of doubt, “the NEC is the highest decision-making Organ of the Party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday 30th June, 2025 is binding on all Organs, Officers, Chapters and members of the Party and no Organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.

“Furthermore, the claim by Amb. Damagum that Sen. Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the Party is therefore misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.

“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, 30th June, 2025 has not been canceled or postponed.”

Daily Trust