PDP NEC Meeting Holds Amid Mounting Tensions Between Wike, Makinde

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is on the brink of a major internal clash, as deepening tensions over the position of National Secretary and today’s disputed 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting threaten to erupt into parallel gatherings in Abuja.

Factions within the party have reportedly mobilised for rival NEC and National Caucus meetings. Confidential sources confirmed the Board of Trustees (BoT) is also scheduled to meet today amid the leadership chaos.

On Sunday, acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, along with embattled National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu and several NWC members, insisted that an expanded National Caucus should replace the NEC meeting. However, a separate faction including Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja and acting National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo — maintained that the NEC must go ahead as planned, with Koshoedo retaining his position.

This rift has split governors and top stakeholders. The camps of Governors Seyi Makinde, Peter Mbah, Douye Diri, and others back Koshoedo and insist the NEC meeting holds today. Opposing them are allies of ex-Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, including Governors Bala Mohammed and Adamu Fintiri, who support Anyanwu’s reinstatement and the NEC’s postponement.

INEC has refused to acknowledge Damagum’s communication scheduling the NEC, citing procedural lapses, as such notices require co-signatures from both the National Chairman and Secretary. PDP Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba dismissed INEC’s stance, asserting the electoral body has no jurisdiction over internal party affairs, a position Damagum quickly distanced the party from, calling the remarks “personal” and “regrettable.”

Last week, Damagum formally announced the reinstatement of Anyanwu and the postponement of the NEC, proposing instead a June 30 expanded caucus meeting a decision backed by some top figures including Bala Mohammed and Bukola Saraki. Meanwhile, six deputy national officers have welcomed Anyanwu’s return and endorsed the new meeting date.

But the majority of the NWC, 11 of 18 members rejected the move, insisting that the NEC meeting remains fixed for June 30, as agreed in the 99th NEC on May 27.

They argued that no individual or group has the authority to override a NEC decision. Arapaja reinforced this view at a press conference, declaring that the June 30 meeting is “binding,” and dismissing the proposed “expanded caucus” as unconstitutional, since it has no standing within the PDP’s charter.

Despite counter-claims from Wike’s faction that today’s gathering is a National Caucus meeting, invitations circulated on Sunday only deepened confusion, listing attendees far beyond NEC membership, hinting at a hybrid format.

Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, after meeting with Makinde and BoT Chair Adolphus Wabara, reaffirmed his camp’s stance. “The South East’s position on the National Secretary is non-negotiable,” he said, warning of a potential regional withdrawal from PDP if ignored.

Veteran party figures from Olabode George to Senator Ibrahim Tsauri called for calm but stood firm on the NEC’s supremacy, arguing the party must honour its resolutions or risk collapse.

Former National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan stressed that NEC decisions can’t be unilaterally discarded. “Even in clubs, members respect their agreements,” he said.

Yet amid the standoff, other elders like Eddy Olafeso took a more pragmatic view, saying, “Call it NEC or expanded caucus, what matters is that we meet, talk, and find a path forward.”

The ruling APC has pounced on the turmoil, with its Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, mocking the PDP’s dysfunction and calling it unfit to govern. “This is the unraveling of a party that ruled for 16 years but failed to manage itself,” he said