On Monday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) managed to end a long-standing internal crisis by agreeing to bring back Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary during its 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
This decision helped ease tensions that started after the party lost the 2023 presidential election. Some leaders had disagreed about Anyanwu’s role, causing division within the party.
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After the meeting, PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, confirmed to the press that Anyanwu had been officially reinstated. He also said that another NEC meeting will be held on July 23 to decide on the date for the party’s national convention.
Damagum added that despite rumors and expectations that the meeting might collapse, the party had come together. He said all PDP governors attended the meeting, and there was now unity among the party’s top officials.
What Happened Behind Closed Doors
Sources said that some top officials (11 NWC members) were initially against bringing Anyanwu back because they felt left out of the decision-making. They said Damagum only consulted with people close to him and acted like the whole party had agreed.
There were also issues in the South East zone, where some members felt Anyanwu was listening more to Minister Nyesom Wike than the local governor. But after discussions, most party leaders agreed to reinstate him, especially because Nigeria’s electoral body (INEC) recognized him.
To avoid further problems, the leaders agreed on three things:
1. Anyanwu must not punish party staff who had previously opposed him.
2. He must follow proper procedures for the upcoming convention.
3. A proposal that he sign a formal promise not to seek revenge was dropped to promote peace.
Heavy Security Presence at Party Headquarters
Earlier that day, tensions were high. Security forces took over the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, fearing clashes between rival party groups. Police and civil defense officers blocked access to the building. Some party elders and journalists were not allowed inside.
Because of this, the NEC meeting was moved to the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre in Abuja. Many top party members, including Chief Bode George and Senator Ibrahim Tsauri, relocated to the new venue.
Chief George condemned the heavy police presence and warned against actions that could harm Nigeria’s democracy. He compared it to countries like North Korea and Russia and said Nigerians would not accept such actions.
BoT Members React to the Crisis
At the new meeting venue, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, the BoT Secretary and former Kaduna governor, said governors were upset by how party elders were treated. He said the pre-NEC meeting earlier that day was meant to help the party present a united front.
BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, also criticized the blockade but urged party members to stay focused. He reminded everyone that this was a special BoT meeting held under difficult circumstances.
Leaders Speak on the Way Forward
At the meeting, Damagum said the PDP had always found ways to resolve its internal problems. He explained that although they had delayed this NEC meeting before, it was important to hold it to stay within the law.
He said the NEC would decide on a new date for the next meeting, where a final decision on the party convention would be made.
Speaking about the return of Anyanwu, Damagum said it was a tough but necessary decision made by the whole party. “Enough is enough,” he said.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, who leads the PDP Governors Forum, called the resolution “a miracle.” He praised the party’s ability to overcome crises and denied rumors that many members were leaving the party.
He also said all issues at the national and state levels had been resolved. He warned against setting up rival meetings or coalitions outside official party channels and said the governors stood firmly with the party leadership.