The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has affirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.
Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, made the announcement on Monday shortly after the NEC meeting held at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Damagum stated that the decision reflects the position of the party’s highest decision-making body.
Anyanwu, a widely known ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had been at the center of internal disputes within the PDP leadership in recent weeks.
“The NEC has affirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary,” Damagum said, addressing reporters after the closed-door session.
On his part, Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed said issues have been settled.
“I want to say it clearly here, enough is enough,” Mohammed said describing the outcome as “miracle of the PDP, the party that has history, that has the pedigree and the human capital to deliver Nigeria”
“I must tell the world that the NWC has collapsed all differences, all wranglings.
“They met before this meeting, what you have been seeing in terms of press releases have stopped and you will not see them again. And that is what the BoT chairman is telling you. We are all on the same page, no excuse for coalition, no excuse to form any stakeholders meeting other than that of the NWC.
“We are solidly behind this NWC and governors, and we’ll continue to work as the conscience of the party and other organs of the party to make sure we succeed”
Crisis within the party escalated on Sunday afternoon when Damagum convened a meeting at Wadata Plaza with Anyanwu; National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Vice Chairman (North West), Senator Bello Gwarzo; and two other National Working Committee (NWC) members.
At that meeting, the group reaffirmed their support for holding an expanded National Caucus meeting at 2 p.m. Monday and reiterated their recognition of Anyanwu as the party’s duly elected National Secretary.
In a counter-move, a rival NWC faction also held its meeting later on Sunday at the same venue.
That group, led by Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, included National Vice Chairman (South East), Ali Odefa; South East Caretaker Chairman, Emmanuel Ogidi; National Woman Leader, Amina Darasimi; Setonji Koshoedo; National Auditor, Okechukwu Obiechin; National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba; National Financial Secretary, Woyengikuro Daniel; and National Vice Chairman (South West), Ajisafe Toyese.
This faction insisted the NEC meeting must proceed as earlier scheduled, with Koshoedo continuing as Acting National Secretary.
On one side, it is understood that a bloc aligned with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde—supported by Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), along with 11 NWC members and other key party figures—pushed strongly for the NEC meeting to proceed and firmly opposed Anyanwu’s return.
On the opposing side, Wike’s camp, with backing from Governors Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Adamu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), alongside Damagum, Bature, and Ajibade, rallied behind Anyanwu and advocated for a postponement of the NEC meeting.
Tensions escalated on Monday morning when security operatives cordoned off Wadata Plaza, blocking access to the PDP headquarters.
This security clampdown prompted PDP governors, NWC members, the Board of Trustees (BoT), and several National Assembly members to convene an emergency meeting at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
During the closed-door session, party leaders reportedly agreed to proceed with the 100th NEC meeting, in line with the timetable set by the 99th NEC.
Later in the afternoon, the long-anticipated NEC meeting commenced and was concluded with little to no further incident.
Meanwhile, the party has scheduled its 101st NEC meeting for July 23 to finalise arrangements for the upcoming national convention.
