On Monday, June 30, 2025, the PDP restored Senator Samuel Anyanwu to his position as the party’s National Secretary, although with restrictions.
At the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, it was reported that party leaders decided that Anyanwu could be allowed to return to office provided he dropped all court cases related to his position and pledged not to meddle in the August National Elective Convention.
Governors, parliamentarians, and the Board of Trustees agreed to permit Anyanwu to return as long as he complies with the regulations, according to reports from insiders within the PDP National Secretariat.
According to a source, “he was asked to sign an undertaking that he won’t harass any party staff or disrupt the convention plans.”
Additionally, he had to consent to drop all of the lawsuits he had brought against the party.
Later, in an interview with reporters, PDP interim National Chairman Umar Damagum affirmed Anyanwu’s reinstatement.
According to Damagum, “We all agreed that Senator Anyanwu will continue as National Secretary.”
“And on July 23, we’ll wrap up preparations for the national convention at our next NEC meeting.”
Remember how Damagum met at Wadata Plaza last week with Anyanwu and some important members of the National Working Committee (NWC)? They reiterated their support for Anyanwu and approved him as secretary.
Acting Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, South-East Vice Chairman Ali Odefa, and Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, however, met separately at the same location a few hours later and approved Koshoedo’s continuation as acting secretary.
Since the general elections in 2023, there have been more significant party divides, which are reflected in the split.
Amid the ongoing turmoil within the opposition party, there are two opposing factions: one that supports Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, while the other supports Nyesom Wike, the current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and former Governor of Rivers State.
Supported by the governors of Enugu, Osun, Zamfara, and Bayelsa, Makinde’s group has pushed for the NEC to move forward without Anyanwu since they are against his return.
However, Wike’s team, which consists of governors from Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, and the Plateau, supported Anyanwu and lobbied for a postponement of the NEC.
BoT Moves Meeting, Security Personnel Barricade PDP Headquarters
Prior to yesterday’s NEC meeting, the Board of Trustees (BoT) had to relocate its meeting to the Yar’Adua Center when police and other security forces closed off Wadata Plaza due to increased tensions.
In response to this development, Senators Adolphus Wabara, the chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Ahmed Makarfi, the secretary, denounced the blockade and described it as an attempt to intimidate the party.
As directed, I arrived at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge around ten in the morning. The National Working Committee, the minority leadership of the National Assembly, and the governors were all present at the meeting. It was intended to close divisions inside the party so that, at the scheduled NEC meeting, we could present a unified front rather than one that was split, he stated.
The governors were clearly furious and asked why they had been embarrassed. It was decided to have the meeting here in order to prevent any more problems because the chairman had already made other arrangements at that point.
“Interference of this nature is unacceptable. It threatens both our democracy and the freedom of opposing parties. We are steadfast in our resolve to address our internal problems and show the Nigerian people that we are a strong, cohesive nation.
“I almost got out of my car this morning when I saw how some people were treated,” Wabara continued. I was so embarrassed that I told my driver to move.
But I implore everyone to have patience. This provocation must not divert us from our goal of fortifying and reestablishing our party.
“I want to stress that this is a very unique meeting of the Board of Directors. It should be noted that this is still our 80th meeting of the Board of Directors. We shall act appropriately so that people will comprehend the unique circumstances that led to it when inquiries come up in the future.
“We are committed to preserving democratic values and making sure the PDP continues to be a strong option for Nigerians in spite of the obstacles.”
It was understood that party heavyweights, including governors, NWC members, and BoT officials, had a last-minute emergency meeting at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja prior to leaving for the NEC at Wadata Plaza.
A source said the private meeting was important.
It was a heated meeting. According to the source, it was ultimately decided that Anyanwu should be reinstated in accordance with the party’s constitution and that the NEC must continue.
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“There were also worries that there might be legal repercussions if INEC did not recognize someone else as secretary.”
According to the source, Anyanwu was there and consented to follow the conditions imposed on his return.
However, it was understood that the South East PDP leaders were not pleased with the NEC’s decision.
Martin Chukwunweike, the PDP chairman in Enugu State, informed reporters that the area would convene and assess the results.
“Even though NEC appears to have decided that it could be Anyanwu, we in the South East have not really accepted it,” he stated. “The South East position is still unclear.”
“We’re going to get together and decide on it. We will get together again, perhaps tomorrow or the next day, to examine NEC’s stance and decide whether or not to accept.
