The leadership crisis rocking the PDP deepened on Wednesday as 11 members of its National Working Committee (NWC) rejected the reinstatement of the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Their stance contradicted that of the Acting National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, who had earlier in the day announced the reinstatement of Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the party.
Damagun who made the announcement during a press conference in Abuja also announced the cancellation of the 100th NEC meeting of the party scheduled for June 30, 2025.
The Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum who is also the governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed and former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki were among the chieftains of the party present at the press conference addressed by Damagun to announce the decisions.
However, few hours later, 11 members of the PDP NWC countered Damagun, saying that he has no power to take decisions.
They also insisted that the NEC meeting had not been cancelled.
The 11 PDP NWC members that issued the counter are 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).
They made their position known through a statement signed by all of them.
The statement said : “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).
“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.”
(vitalnewsngr.com)
