PDP Crisis Deepens As INEC Recognises Nyesom Wike’s Ally, Anyanwu As National Secretary

The revelation was made public during the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at Legacy House, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Tuesday after there was confirmation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the recognised National Secretary of the party.

The revelation was made public during the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at Legacy House, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

The fact-finding committee of the PDP National Caucus, led by Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, informed the NEC that INEC had affirmed Anyanwu’s position, citing a Supreme Court judgment and lack of due process in removing him.

On Monday, the PDP had inaugurated a three-member committee to verify Anyanwu’s status.

The committee, led by Governor Kefas, also included Governors Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and PDP National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).

According to findings presented during the meeting, INEC maintains that Anyanwu has not been officially removed from office and that any such action must comply with a 21-day notice requirement.

A source from the NEC disclosed, “INEC told them that Anyanwu has not been removed and that the Commission must be given at least 21 days’ notice. It also has to witness the removal process.”

In compliance with this requirement, the NEC resolved to reconvene on Monday, June 30, to further deliberate on the matter and initiate the necessary procedures for Anyanwu’s removal in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

The development is expected to further strain relations between the PDP leadership and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, a close ally of Anyanwu.

Wike, in a recent statement, accused the party leadership of reneging on previous agreements and announced his withdrawal from reconciliation efforts. He specifically blamed Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Peter Mbah (Enugu) for deepening the party’s internal crisis.

Amid the turmoil, the reconciliation committee chaired by former Senate President Bukola Saraki convened an emergency meeting on Sunday with key stakeholders. However, the outcome of that meeting remains unclear.

During the chaotic NEC meeting, Anyanwu’s former running mate in the Imo State gubernatorial election, Jones Onyereri, raised a motion to derecognise the PDP’s South-East Zonal Chairman, Ali Odefa, alleging his suspension by court order. The matter was deferred, with Onyereri asked to submit a formal petition at the next NEC meeting.

The committee’s official report, obtained by The PUNCH, quoted Governor Mbah as saying, “That the commission still recognised Sen. Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the party in consonance with the Supreme Court judgment… That there’s no vacancy to be replaced until Anyanwu is removed in accordance with the Constitution of the party.”

The NEC also ratified the composition of the Committee on the National Convention and the Zoning Committee for National Offices. The convention is scheduled for August 28–30, 2025. Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa) will chair the National Convention Committee, while Governor Douye Diri (Bayelsa) heads the Zoning Committee.

Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, while presenting the NEC communiqué, said, “NEC also received the resolution of the South-East Zonal Executive with regard to the issue of the National Secretary of our Party. NEC resolved to consider the Resolution of the South East Zonal Executive at the next NEC meeting scheduled to hold on Monday, 30th June, 2025.”

Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, alleged political intimidation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he claimed was targeting PDP governors to weaken the opposition.

“As governors, we have gone through a lot. There are so many booby traps, innuendos, political movements that have been done,” he said. “There is no intimidation that we are not going through. There is no caressing or cajoling that members and elected governors are not going through… But certainly, we are resolute. We will not abandon the mandate.”

Earlier, PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, called for reconciliation among warring factions.

“As the party of the people, we must recommit to healing these wounds and restoring faith among our members,” Wabara said. “No ambition, no grievance, and no misunderstanding should ever be allowed to override the collective interests of our party and the hopes of the Nigerian people.”

Wabara urged the party to begin a genuine reconciliation process led by respected elders and rooted in grassroots engagement. “Let this 99th meeting be remembered as a turning point… Let us go back to the grassroots with a renewed spirit, a clear purpose, and a firm resolve to reclaim our place as the party that not only knows Nigeria but truly loves Nigeria.”