PDP Crisis Deepens as 11 NWC Members Reject Reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu

Strategic Insights -

Tensions within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have escalated as 11 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) have rejected the reinstatement of embattled National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. The move comes after a meeting between party leaders and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, on a date not specified. The 11 NWC members argue that the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, lacks the powers to take such actions, citing the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017). They also insisted that the NEC meeting scheduled for June 30th has not been postponed, contradicting Ambassador Damagum's announcement.

Key Takeaways:

  • 11 members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) have rejected the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
  • The NWC members argue that Ambassador Iliya Damagum lacks the powers to take such actions, citing the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).
  • The reinstatement is contrary to the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for June 30th.
  • The 11 NWC members include Deputy National Chairman (South) Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Acting National Secretary Hon. (Arc) Setonji Koshoedo, and others as listed in the rejection notice.
  • The Party leaders had met with INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu prior to the decision, but the date of the meeting is not specified.
  • The NWC members contend that the NEC is the highest decision-making Organ of the Party and that no one can vary or veto the resolution of NEC.

Statistics:

  • 11 NWC members rejected the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
  • 1 Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting.
  • 1 date, June 25th, was mentioned as the day Ambassador Damagum made the announcement.
  • 1 day, June 30th, is scheduled for the 100th NEC meeting.

Sources:

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" 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, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, 25th June, 2025."

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"The NWC members argue that Ambassador Iliya Damagum lacks the powers to take such actions, citing the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017)."