PDP Crisis Deepens as Emergency NWC Meeting Follows INEC Dispute Over Leadership Legitimacy

Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has convened an emergency meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC) today, Wednesday, in response to a critical procedural standoff with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The decision to hold the urgent session follows INEC’s refusal to acknowledge the party’s notification for its landmark 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, citing inconsistencies in leadership communication and breaches of established procedure.

Sources within the party told Punch that the emergency meeting aims to resolve escalating tensions surrounding the party’s leadership structure, particularly the embattled position of the National Secretary — a dispute that now threatens to paralyze PDP’s institutional functionality ahead of crucial political timelines.

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Power Struggle Intensifies Over PDP National Secretary Position

The origin of the latest PDP turmoil lies in a prolonged and contentious leadership battle over the post of National Secretary. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, raised the red flag during a high-level meeting on Tuesday involving PDP governors, NWC members, and electoral commission officials.

“In the last couple of months, we received conflicting communications from the PDP over who holds the position of National Secretary,” Yakubu said. “First, it was Udeh Okoye, then Samuel Anyanwu, then Setonji Koshoedo, and again back to Anyanwu. These inconsistencies create legal ambiguity.”

Yakubu emphasized that INEC’s primary concern is adherence to legal norms. He cited the most recent communication from PDP as being procedurally invalid because it was signed only by the party chairman, without the co-signature of a confirmed secretary — a direct violation of INEC’s documentation rules.

INEC has maintained its openness to resolving the issue amicably but insists that any resolution must align with the PDP’s internal constitution and broader electoral guidelines.

Damagum Attempts to Calm Waters, Promises Party-Led Resolution

Following the closed-door meeting, PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, described the engagement with INEC as “fruitful.” He, however, acknowledged the depth of internal challenges the party faces, especially concerning the legitimacy of documents and communications submitted to INEC.

“We will meet with our wider stakeholders and deliberate on the discussions we’ve had with INEC. Only then will we issue an official position,” Damagum told reporters.

Damagum admitted that protracted legal battles and conflicting court decisions over the National Secretary’s position have complicated internal communication and weakened external party credibility.

His remarks suggest a softening of the party’s tone in contrast to earlier, more defiant statements from the party’s spokesperson.

Public Disagreement Within PDP Rattles Party Unity

The crisis took a sharper turn after PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated over the weekend that INEC had no authority to interfere in the internal scheduling and structure of the party’s NEC or NWC meetings.

“INEC has no role in the regular meetings of the NWC or NEC. These are strictly internal affairs, as the Supreme Court has ruled,” Ologunagba said.

However, his remarks were swiftly disowned by Damagum, who described the comments as “personal, regrettable, and premature.” In an official statement, the acting chairman clarified that Ologunagba had not consulted party leadership before making those remarks, further underscoring internal communication breakdowns.

INEC Recognition of Anyanwu Adds Fuel to Internal Feud

At the heart of the crisis is the fierce contest between Sunday Udeh-Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu for the secretaryship. Reports suggest that Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, is heavily backing Anyanwu, giving the contest a significant political undertone that has split PDP leadership ranks.

In a move aimed at de-escalating the feud, the party had appointed Setonji Koshoedo as Acting Secretary. However, a fact-finding mission led by Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu concluded that INEC still legally recognizes Samuel Anyanwu as the validly elected secretary. This development has created further confusion over which individual holds the authority to co-sign essential party documents.

A Balancing Act Between Autonomy and Compliance

While PDP leaders continue to assert their constitutional right to manage internal affairs independently, INEC insists that when party activities intersect with external administrative functions — such as electoral monitoring and official notifications — due procedural compliance must be maintained.

With the emergency NWC meeting now underway, party stakeholders are under intense pressure to reach a consensus that restores both internal coherence and external credibility. Any delay in resolution could not only impact PDP’s immediate strategic direction but also severely affect its preparedness ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.