The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary on Monday, June 30th, 2025, but with strings attached.
Naijaonpoint reports that party leaders agreed at the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja that Anyanwu could return to office if he drops all court cases tied to his position and promises not to interfere in the upcoming National Elective Convention scheduled for August.
According to the PUNCH, sources at the PDP National Secretariat said governors, lawmakers, and the Board of Trustees reached an agreement to allow Anyanwu back, provided he plays by the rules.
“He was asked to sign an undertaking that he won’t harass any party staff or disrupt the convention plans,” a source revealed.
“He also had to agree to withdraw every legal case he filed against the party.”
PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, later confirmed Anyanwu’s reinstatement while speaking with journalists.
“We all agreed that Senator Anyanwu will continue as National Secretary,” Damagum said.
“And we’ve scheduled our next NEC meeting for July 23, where we’ll conclude plans for the national convention.”
Recall that Damagum had met with Anyanwu and a few crucial members of the National Working Committee (NWC) last week at Wadata Plaza. They endorsed Anyanwu as secretary and reaffirmed their support for him.
However, a few hours later, a different group of NWC members, including Acting Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, South-East Vice Chairman, Ali Odefa, and Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, also met separately at the exact location and endorsed Koshoedo to continue to serve as acting secretary.
The split reflects more serious party divisions that have existed since the 2023 general elections.
Meanwhile, amid the continued crisis within the opposition party are two rival camps: one loyal to the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and the other aligned with the former Governor of Rivers State and incumbent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Makinde’s group, backed by governors from Enugu, Osun, Zamfara, and Bayelsa, is opposed to Anyanwu’s return and has pushed for the NEC to proceed without him.
Wike’s camp, however, which includes governors from Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba, and Adamawa, stood behind Anyanwu and pushed for the NEC to be delayed.
Security Operatives Barricade PDP HQ, BoT Moves Meeting
Naijaonpoint reported earlier that as tensions rose, the police and other security agencies cordoned off Wadata Plaza, forcing the Board of Trustees (BoT) to move its meeting to the Yar’Adua Centre ahead of yesterday’s NEC meeting.
Reacting to this development, the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara and Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi condemned the blockade, calling it an attempt to intimidate the party.
“I arrived at 10 am at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge as instructed. The meeting involved the governors, the National Working Committee, and the National Assembly minority leadership. Its purpose was to bridge gaps within the party, ensuring we could convene as a united front at the planned NEC meeting rather than emerging divided,” he said.
“The governors were visibly upset and questioned why such an embarrassment had occurred. By then, the Chairman had already made alternative arrangements, which is why it was decided to hold the meeting here to avoid further issues.
“This kind of interference is unacceptable. It undermines our democracy and the rights of opposition parties to operate freely. We will not be deterred; we remain committed to resolving our internal issues and presenting a strong, united front to the Nigerian people.”
Wabara added, “This morning, I nearly stepped out of my car when I witnessed the treatment of some individuals. I told my driver, ‘No, move,’ as it was deeply embarrassing.
“However, I urge everyone to remain patient. We must not allow this provocation to distract us from our mission to rebuild and strengthen our party.
“Let me emphasise that this is a particularly special BoT meeting. I want it on record that it remains our 80th BoT meeting. We will proceed accordingly so that, in the future, when questions arise, people will understand the extraordinary circumstances under which it was held.
“Despite the challenges, we are determined to uphold the principles of democracy and ensure that the PDP remains a viable alternative for Nigerians.”
Naijaonpoint understands that, earlier, before heading to Wadata Plaza for the NEC, party leaders, including governors, NWC members, and BoT officials, held a last-minute emergency meeting at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
According to a source, the closed-door session was crucial.
“The meeting was intense. In the end, it was agreed that the NEC must go on, and that Anyanwu should be reinstated in line with the party’s constitution,” the source said.
“There were also concerns that INEC may not recognise anyone else as secretary, which could have legal consequences.”
The source said Anyanwu was present and agreed to abide by the terms set for his return.
However, despite the NEC’s decision, it did not sit well with the PDP leaders from the South East, Naijaonpoint understands.
The chairman of the PDP in Enugu State, Martin Chukwunweike, told journalists that the region would meet and review the outcome.
He said: “The South East position is not yet clear, even though NEC seems to have resolved that it could be Anyanwu, but we in the South East have not really accepted it.
“We are going to convene and take a decision on that. We are going to reconvene, maybe tomorrow or next, and study the position of NEC and take a definite position either to accept or not.”