Tensions Boil In PDP Ranks As Governors Walk Away Without Resolution Before NEC Meeting

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with former governors and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), concluded a high-stakes meeting on Sunday night without resolving major internal rifts that threaten party unity ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on May 27 and the national convention in August.

Among the unresolved issues are the continued leadership of Ambassador Umar Damagum as acting national chairman, the contentious battle over the position of national secretary between Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye, and a worrying trend of defections from the party.

According to sources cited by Daily Trust, many PDP governors are advocating for leadership changes—particularly the removal of Anyanwu, who lost his bid for the Imo State governorship in 2023. However, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is reportedly against these moves.

“The governors wanted the meeting to ratify decisions made in Oyo, similar to what the NWC did. But Wike’s camp objected. He believes both Damagum and Anyanwu should be allowed to finish their terms,” a source said. Wike, according to insiders, arrived late and left early, clearly unhappy with the proceedings.

Despite the tension, some governors are now considering backing down on the Anyanwu issue to maintain peace within the party. “There’s hope that Saraki and his committee can help resolve these lingering disputes,” the source added.

Background to the Crisis

The party’s leadership wrangle began in March 2023 after PDP’s loss in the presidential election. Damagum was appointed acting chairman after a Benue State High Court barred Iyorchia Ayu from continuing in the role over alleged anti-party behavior.

Senator Anyanwu had stepped down to contest the Imo governorship but sought to reclaim his national secretary position after his loss. However, his return met resistance, as the South-East PDP had already put forward Sunday Ude-Okoye as his replacement.

Although a High Court in Enugu ruled in October 2023 that the PDP should replace Anyanwu with Ude-Okoye, both camps have since interpreted follow-up Supreme Court rulings in their favor, keeping the issue deadlocked.

Saraki to the Rescue

In response to the stalemate, the party has set up a seven-member reconciliation committee, chaired by former Senate President Bukola Saraki. The committee’s goal is to mediate between factions and restore unity ahead of the NEC meeting and the upcoming convention.