Eleven members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have rejected the purported reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary and declared that the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will hold as scheduled on Monday, June 30, 2025.
This position came in direct response to a press briefing by PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, earlier on Wednesday, in which he announced the cancellation of the NEC meeting and the reinstatement of Anyanwu.
In a strongly worded statement signed by 11 NWC members, the party leadership described Damagum’s pronouncement as “unconstitutional”, asserting that only the NEC has the authority to take such critical decisions.
Signatories to the statement include:
- Taofeek Arapaja (Deputy National Chairman – South)
- Setonji Koshoedo (Acting National Secretary)
- Ahmed Yayari Mohammed (National Treasurer)
- Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel (National Auditor)
- Debo Ologunagba (National Publicity Secretary)
- Woyengikuro Daniel (National Financial Secretary)
- Ali Odefa (National Vice Chairman – South East)
- Emmanuel Ogidi (Caretaker Chairman – South South)
- Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm (National Woman Leader)
- Senator Hayatu Bello Gwarzo
- Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese (National Vice Chairman – South West)
“The pronouncements by the Acting National Chairman have no foundation,” the NWC stated. “No organ of the party, 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.”
They cited Section 31(3) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), which makes NEC decisions binding on all party structures and members, warning that any actions outside this framework are null and void.
The NWC also clarified that Anyanwu’s status as National Secretary remains unresolved and is still under the purview of the NEC, which is expected to decide on the matter during the forthcoming meeting.
“The claim by Damagum that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is misleading, being contrary to the resolution of NEC,” the statement added.
The internal wrangling comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilise the party ahead of future electoral contests. The leadership reaffirmed its commitment to the constitution and urged members to disregard any attempts to derail the scheduled NEC meeting.
