A fresh storm has erupted in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as National Secretary, Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu, has issued a scathing rebuke to the party’s National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, accusing him and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of flouting the party’s constitution and acting beyond their powers.
In a strongly worded letter dated October 1, 2025, made available to POLITICS NIGERIA, Senator Anyanwu rejected the controversial dissolution of the Akwa Ibom and Cross River State working committees, describing the decision as “illegal, provocative and grossly unacceptable.” He declared that the purported resolutions reached at the September 30 NWC meeting were null and void.
Anyanwu did not mince words as he reminded Damagum of Section 36 (1) (b) and (e) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), which clearly assigns the responsibility of convening meetings of critical party organs—including the National Convention, NEC, National Caucus, and NWC—to the office of the National Secretary.
He accused the National Chairman of bypassing these constitutional provisions, warning that any action taken outside due process cannot stand.
“You should be aware that any action or decisions purportedly reached by an illegally constituted NWC is null and void and of no effect,” Anyanwu stated.
The internal crisis was triggered by a press statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announcing the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom and Cross River State working committees and their replacement with caretaker committees.
Anyanwu swiftly disowned the move, clarifying that no valid NWC meeting was convened by his office, making any resolutions from such a gathering unconstitutional.
“The decision to undermine the duties of my office as provided by the party constitution is provocative and grossly unacceptable by me,” he said.
The National Secretary, in a clear message to Damagum and other NWC members, called for strict adherence to the PDP constitution to avoid deepening the leadership crisis.
“It is high time you retraced your steps and conduct yourself and the affairs of our party in strict compliance with the PDP constitution 2017 as amended. A stitch in time saves nine,” he warned. This explosive exchange has laid bare widening cracks within the PDP’s national leadership, coming at a sensitive time as the opposition party works to reposition itself for the 2027 general elections.
Party insiders fear the power struggle between top officials could escalate further if internal procedures are not restored, threatening the party’s unity and electoral strategy.