PDP Leadership Crisis Deepens as NWC Rejects Damagum’s Reinstatement of Anyanwu

The PDP is facing internal discord as its National Working Committee (NWC) openly disowns a press statement by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s leading opposition party, is once again embroiled in internal strife as a major disagreement erupted within its top leadership. The latest crisis centers on a controversial decision by the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, to reinstate Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary—a move that has now been firmly rejected by a majority of the National Working Committee (NWC) members.

During a high-profile press conference on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Damagum, flanked by political heavyweights such as Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, announced that Anyanwu would resume his position as the PDP’s National Secretary. Damagum acknowledged the complexity of the decision but claimed it had wide support among the party’s leadership.

“It was a difficult decision, but it was accepted by many members of the party led by the organs of the party,” Damagum told reporters.

PDP National Working Committee Breaks Ranks Over Anyanwu Reinstatement

In a swift and highly coordinated rebuttal, twelve key members of the PDP’s National Working Committee issued a joint statement disowning Damagum’s announcement. They emphasized that the decision to reinstate Anyanwu and the reported cancellation or alteration of the forthcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting directly contravenes the party’s constitutional procedures.

The dissenting NWC members include prominent figures such as Deputy National Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Acting National Secretary Hon. Setonji Koshoedo, National Treasurer Hon. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, and National Publicity Secretary Hon. Debo Ologunagba, among others. Their collective statement was unequivocal in its rejection of Damagum’s unilateral actions.

They stated, “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… 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.”

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PDP Constitution Cited in Defense of NEC’s Supremacy

The NWC critics argued that Damagum’s declaration had no legal or organizational backing, citing the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017). According to Section 31(3) of the party’s governing document, NEC resolutions hold supreme authority, second only to those passed at the National Convention.

They stressed that “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).”

Furthermore, they called Damagum’s assertion that Anyanwu had been reinstated “misleading” and in direct conflict with the decision of the 99th NEC meeting. That meeting had specifically deferred all matters concerning the office of the National Secretary to the upcoming 100th NEC session scheduled for June 30.

Deepening Crisis Ahead of PDP’s Crucial NEC Meeting

The public fallout between the Acting Chairman and the core NWC members has plunged the PDP into a state of renewed political tension. The power tussle reflects a broader leadership vacuum and underscores the structural weaknesses that continue to dog the party’s internal affairs.

The statement by the opposing NWC members was emphatic in maintaining that the 100th NEC meeting remains on schedule. “For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making Organ of the Party, second only to the National Convention… The 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, 30th June, 2025 has not been canceled or postponed.”

This development sets the stage for a potentially decisive showdown in the coming days, as various party factions vie for control, legitimacy, and influence. The outcome of the June 30 NEC meeting is expected to play a critical role in either resolving or worsening the internal rift.

Implications for PDP’s Unity and 2027 Political Strategy

The ongoing conflict within the PDP’s leadership not only threatens internal stability but also raises concerns about the party’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections. Analysts believe that prolonged internal crises could damage the PDP’s public image and weaken its ability to mount a credible challenge against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

While some leaders, like Damagum, appear focused on strategic repositioning, others are calling for adherence to democratic processes and institutional discipline within the party. The struggle over Samuel Anyanwu’s position is, therefore, not just a personnel issue—it is a litmus test of the PDP’s ability to function as a coherent political entity.

As tensions mount, party loyalists, observers, and Nigerians alike will be closely watching how the party navigates this internal conflict. Whether the PDP can mend its divisions and rally behind a unified leadership structure may very well determine its relevance in the fast-approaching political season.