PDP Crisis Escalates as 11 Members of the National Working Committee Oppose Senator Samuel Anyanwu's Return as National Secretary

Strategic Insights -

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is embroiled in a deepening crisis as 11 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) opposed the decision to return Senator Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary. The decision was announced by the acting national chairman of PDP, Amb Umar Damagum, during a press briefing, citing advice from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the party's notification letter to hold the June 30 NEC meeting did not meet the required guidelines.

Key Takeaways:

  • 11 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) opposed the decision to return Senator Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary, citing that Damagum's pronouncements have no foundation as 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) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
  • The 11 members who opposed Damagum's decision include Amb. Taofeek Arapaja - Deputy National Chairman (South); Hon. Setonji Koshoedo - Acting National Secretary; Hon. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed - National Treasurer; Sir. Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel - National Auditor; Hon. Debo Ologunagba - National Publicity Secretary; Woyengikuro Daniel Ph.D - National Financial Secretary; High Chief Ali Odefa - National Vice Chairman (South East); Hon. Emmanuel Ogidi - Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Hon. Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm - National Woman Leader; Senator Hayatu Bello Gwarzo; and Hon. Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese - National Vice Chairman (South West).
  • The NWC members also distanced themselves from Damagum's rejection of Ologunagba's insistence on the holding of NEC at a press briefing last Sunday, instead counter-claiming that Ologunagba was authorised to speak in affirmation of decisions reached during the previous NEC meeting which approved the convening of another NEC on June 30, this year.
  • The crisis over the national secretary position has been ongoing since the party leadership, backed by Nyesom Wike, chose Anyanwu as secretary, while the South East caucus backed Sunday Ude-Okoye.

Statistics:

  • 11 members of the National Working Committee (NWC) opposed Damagum's decision to return Anyanwu as national secretary.
  • The NWC is the highest decision-making body of the party after the national convention.
  • The party will hold a National Caucus on June 30, which was earlier scheduled for NEC.
  • The proposed 100th NEC meeting of the party will no longer hold.

Sources:

  • LEADERSHIP newspaper article, exact date and publication date not specified
  • PDP National Secretariat press briefing, exact date and publication date not specified
  • Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017)