The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has plunged deeper into crisis as two rival factions plan to hold parallel National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings today, reflecting sharp internal divisions over party leadership, procedure, and the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The confusion stems from a leadership dispute involving Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and the controversial reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary—moves that have been firmly rejected by 11 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT).

Despite Damagum’s announcement postponing the NEC meeting, the NWC insists the 100th NEC meeting will proceed today as scheduled, citing decisions made during the 99th NEC session held on May 27, 2025.

Parallel Meetings and Procedural Disputes

Senator Anyanwu, reinstated by Damagum last week, has called for a separate expanded caucus meeting involving statutory members, deputy national officers, state chairmen, and other party stakeholders. His notice emphasized that attendance would be strictly by invitation.

However, the NWC has rejected this move, describing it as unconstitutional and unauthorized. According to the party’s constitution, there is no such entity as a "Special Expanded National Caucus," making the meeting null and void.

INEC initially rejected the PDP’s NEC meeting notification, arguing that it lacked the required joint signatures of both the national chairman and national secretary, per its 2022 regulations. But this claim has since been disputed.

INEC Denies Interfering

In a twist, INEC has denied issuing any advisory to the PDP regarding the validity of signatures from the acting national secretary, Arc. Setonji Koshoedo. A letter from INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony confirmed that “the document under reference was not in its records,” effectively validating Koshoedo’s authority.

National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyengikuro dismissed attempts to downgrade today’s NEC meeting to an expanded caucus as “deliberate misinformation.” He accused unnamed party members of falsely invoking INEC’s name to sow confusion.

“The people behind this confusion are claiming INEC said one thing or another, but INEC has come out to deny such statements,” Woyengikuro told Vanguard. “It’s a straightforward matter. The PDP constitution is clear—if the national secretary is absent or in dispute, the deputy national secretary steps in.”

National Headquarters in Turmoil

Tensions boiled over at the party’s national headquarters when staff staged a walkout in protest against Anyanwu, accusing him of being a divisive force. Despite this, Anyanwu continues to receive backing from some influential figures, including the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Damagum has also distanced himself from the party’s Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who criticized INEC for allegedly meddling in PDP’s internal affairs. Damagum labeled Ologunagba’s statement “unauthorized.”

Arapaja Confirms NEC Meeting Will Hold

Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), confirmed that the 100th NEC meeting will proceed as planned today, June 30, 2025, at Wadata Plaza in Abuja.

Speaking to journalists alongside other NWC members, Arapaja underscored the meeting's legitimacy, noting it was unanimously agreed upon during the 99th NEC session. He stressed that “no organ, group, or officer has the power to cancel, alter, or override a properly convened NEC meeting.”

He added that the gathering would receive reports from the zoning and convention planning committees in preparation for the PDP National Convention slated for August 28–30, 2025.

Governor Peter Mbah: “I Stand by the South East”

Meanwhile, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah reaffirmed his support for the NWC, BoT, and the South East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC), warning that continued disregard for the region’s position on the national secretaryship may force a reevaluation of their allegiance to the party.

Following a closed-door meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Senator Adolphus Wabara (BoT Chairman), and Chief Ali Odefa (South East Zonal Chairman), among others, Mbah declared:

“While I remain a member of the PDP, the South East reserves the right to review its continued membership if the party fails to put its house in order. The position of the South East on the national secretaryship is sacrosanct.”

Other prominent leaders present at the meeting included former PDP National Chairman Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Senator Sam Egwu, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Senator Ben Obi, and Hon. Udeh-Okoye.