PDP crisis deepens again as the Board of Trustees rejects Damagum’s cancellation of NEC meeting and reaffirms Koshoedo as acting secretary
PDP crisis deepens again as the Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Ex-Officio Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party have rejected the recent moves by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum to cancel the June 30 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and reinstate Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
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In separate statements on Wednesday, BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara and the leadership of the PDP National Ex-Officio Forum described Damagum’s actions as unconstitutional and urged party members to disregard them.
Wabara reaffirmed that the 100th NEC meeting, fixed during the 99th NEC session on May 27, must proceed as scheduled, stating, “The pronouncements by the Acting National Chairman are null, void, and of no effect, being inconsistent and in gross violation of the Constitution of the PDP.”
He reminded the party that only the NEC or National Convention has the legal power to alter such a resolution.
“No individual or organ of the party has the authority to override the NEC’s decisions,” Wabara warned.
The BoT also declared that Arc. Setonji Koshoedo remains the acting National Secretary, adding that Damagum’s attempt to unilaterally reverse that appointment is a “gross abuse of office.”
This controversy is the latest in a series of internal disputes that have rocked the PDP since losing power in 2015, with lingering issues including unresolved congresses, leadership tussles, and high-profile defections.
The BoT cannot stand idly by and watch the party descend into chaos through acts of impunity, unilateralism, and disregard for constitutional procedures.
While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reportedly declined to recognise the notice of the June 30 NEC meeting due to procedural issues, the PDP maintains that INEC has no role in regulating party meetings beyond receiving notifications.
In a further twist, Damagum announced in a press briefing that the NEC meeting had been cancelled and replaced with a caucus meeting, asserting that his decision had the backing of the majority of the party leadership. He also declared Senator Anyanwu reinstated.
However, 11 of the 19 National Working Committee members opposed the announcement and vowed to proceed with the NEC meeting as originally planned.
The PDP National Ex-Officio Forum echoed the BoT’s position. In a statement signed by Chairman Faboyede Clement and Secretary Comfort Yassan, the group expressed disappointment in Damagum’s press release and described it as a betrayal of the 99th NEC resolutions.
“The NEC derives its powers from Section 31, Paragraph (3), Page 68 of the PDP Constitution (2017, as amended).
That resolution is sacrosanct and cannot be reversed by any individual or organ of the party except the National Convention,” the statement read.
They also backed Koshoedo’s continued tenure as acting secretary and described Anyanwu as a destabilising figure, citing the Supreme Court ruling that Anyanwu’s removal was an internal party matter.
“The issue of Anyanwu has caused monumental damage to our great party. He has become a national destabilisation factor. We fully support the NWC on his non-reinstatement,” the ex-officio members added.
Meanwhile, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor disputed claims of a NEC meeting on June 30, stating that a stakeholders’ caucus session was being planned instead.
The deepening crisis threatens to further destabilise the party ahead of crucial by-elections and the Anambra and Edo governorship races.
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Observers say the outcome of this leadership rift could shape the future trajectory of Nigeria’s foremost opposition party.
