NewStats: 3,265,545 , 8,187,162 topics. Date: Sunday, 15 June 2025 at 05:09 PM 6a1b6j

The fact-finding committee of the Peoples Democratic Party National Caucus, led by Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, informed the 99th National Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday that the Independent National Electoral Commission had recognised Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.

On Monday, the NEC established a three-member committee led by Kefas, with Governors Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) and Peter Mbah (Enugu), PDP National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, as , to whether INEC recognised Anyanwu, a loyalist of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, as the party’s scribe.

Multiple sources, including a NEC member, who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity due to a lack of authorisation to speak to the media, revealed that the Kefas informed the 99th NEC on Tuesday in Abuja that INEC had affirmed Anyanwu as the party’s national secretary in line with a Supreme Court judgment.

To properly remove him from office based on the decision of the PDP governors, and in adherence to the 21-day notice requirement, the party plans to reconvene by June 30.

The development may further exacerbate the crisis in the party and widen the schism between the party and the FCT minister, who threatened to pull out of the agreements he had earlier reached with the party leadership to resolve the crisis plaguing the opposition party.

Wike accused the party leadership of reneging on the agreements. In a statement on Sunday, the ex-Rivers governor announced his withdrawal from the reconciliation efforts, blaming Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Peter Mbah of Enugu for the party crisis.

On the heels of Wike’s statement, the reconciliation led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki held an emergency meeting with key stakeholders on Sunday night.
The outcome of the meeting has yet to be ascertained.

The PDP has been dealing with internal political turmoil before and after the 2023 general elections. Issues such as the crisis in Rivers State, disagreements over the South South and South East Zonal Congress, the dispute surrounding the national secretary position, and, more recently, the North Central Zonal Congress, have further polarised the party.

Tensions have risen among party leaders, including Wike, and Governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), and others, who are displeased with decisions taken by the National Working Committee and the PDP Governors’ Forum.

These decisions, largely influenced by Governors Makinde, Mbah, and Mohammed, are perceived as attempts to whittle Wike’s political influence.
Despite efforts by the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, NEC, and the Governors’ Forum to resolve these conflicts, tensions have worsened and spread across various states and geopolitical zones.

The persistent crisis caused the NEC meeting to be postponed six times, delaying important decisions about the party’s future. As a result, several party , including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, defected from the PDP to the ruling APC.

Following an extensive National Caucus meeting held at the Bauchi Governors Lodge in Abuja on Monday and Tuesday, the 99th NEC meeting was called to order at noon at the party annexe office, Legacy House, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

A reliable source informed our correspondent that the 99th NEC meeting turned chaotic when a South-East Zonal member objected to the National Vice Chairman (South East), Ali Odefa, claiming he is no longer a member of the party.

The sources stated, “The findings of the Kefas Committee, earlier set up by the National Caucus, were presented to the NEC. The findings revealed that INEC recognises Anyanwu because he has not been officially removed.

“INEC told them that Anyanwu has not been removed and that the Commission must be given at least 21 days’ notice. It also has to witness the removal process.

‘’Therefore, the NEC decided to receive the South-East petition and scheduled it for further deliberation at another meeting slated for June 30 to perfect the removal process.

“Also, while the meeting was ongoing, Anyanwu’s running mate during the last Imo State governorship election, Jones Onyereri, moved a motion that the South-East Zonal National Chairman, Ali Odefa, should not be recognised. He argued that Odefa had been suspended and removed by a court ruling.

“When the situation began to get rowdy, Onyereri was asked to submit a formal petition on the matter at the next NEC meeting.”

According to the Kefas committee’s report, exclusively obtained by our correspondent, the Enugu governor, who met with an INEC representative, disclosed that no replacement could be made until Anyanwu was removed in line with the party’s Constitution.

The report read in part, “H.E Peter Mba met with INEC and reported to the committee the position/status of the National Secretary thus: That the commission still recognised Sen. Anyanwu as the National Secretary of the party in consonance with the Supreme Court judgment.

“That there’s no vacancy to be replaced until Anyanwu is removed in accordance with the Constitution of the party. That notice of 21 days should be given to the commission for any such meeting to remove and or replace an official of the Party

“That the NEC meeting should be in compliance with the provisions of the party’s Constitution and requirements in the Electoral Act in the case of removal/appointment of an official of the Party.

“The committee resolved to recommend to the forum that the procedure and the processes be followed to complete the acceptance of the recommendation of the South East caucus in order to lay to rest the agitation and put the Party back on track in South East.

“Also, the party in NEC should acknowledge the request/ recommendation of the South-East caucus to be considered at the next meeting, amongst other things.”

While presenting the communiqué of the 99th NEC meeting on Tuesday, Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, confirmed that the National Executive Committee had received the resolution from the South-East Zonal Executive concerning the position of the national secretary.
Damagum stated that the PDP NEC resolved to deliberate on the South-East Zonal Executive’s resolution at its next meeting scheduled for Monday, June 30.

The communique read in part, “On the part of the PDP, NEC restates our party’s belief in Democracy, the Rule of Law and the Supremacy of the will of the people as expressed through their free and unhindered democratic participation in multi-party politics and governance.

“The successful convening of the 99th NEC meeting clearly communicates our party’s unity and focus despite the challenges.
“Pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution, NEC received and ratified the composition of the Committee on the National Convention and approved the conduct of the National Convention on Thursday, 28th to Saturday, 30th August 2025.

“NEC also received and ratified the composition of the Committee on the Zoning of National Offices ahead of the National Convention.

“The of the Zoning Committee are Gov. Douye Diri -Chairman, Gov. Dauda Lawal -Vice Chairman and Gov. Caleb Mutfwang -Secretary. The of the National Convention Committee are Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri- Chairman, Gov. Ademola Adeleke- Vice Chairman and Gov. Peter Mbah – Secretary.

“NEC also received the resolution of the South-East Zonal Executive with regard to the issue of the National Secretary of our Party. NEC resolved to consider the Resolution of the South East Zonal Executive at the next NEC meeting scheduled to hold on Monday, 30th June, 2025.”

https://punchng.com/pdp-nec-under-pressure-as-inec-validates-wike-backed-secretary/

The Akwa Ibom State governor is right. If the PDP Isn't careful, they might not be able to field candidates as if the wrong National Secretary signs your forms, you are as well as gone even if you have the highest votes. That is the risk he spoke about.

This matter needs to be solved and solved fast else even Governor Adeleke will have no choice but to either decamp to another party play a very dangerous gamble.

Which INEC? Na Wike back him secretary It is high time PDP sacked Damagum, Anyanwu and Wike and started afresh.

Pdp nor fit suspend or expel wike sef?

Two things PDP must do to move forward...

1. Get Atiku to drop his Presidential ambition, at least for now until the South has taken its turn.

2. Expel Nyesom Wike. Wike is going to work for Tinubu and APC in 2027.
Why they are not expelling him already is beyond human comprehension.

I talk am. Group of adults that cannot keep to a simple internal agreement but want Nigerians to believe that they keep to their agreement with the common man. Jokers!

Wike is single-handedly bringing the PDP to its knees.

The issue of who's the national secretary of d PDP shouldn't b ambiguous the problem here is that we don't obey court order(mostly cos d court is corrupt and lost validity).d supreme court said that d issue of who's d national secretary of d PDP is an internal affair hence d PDP should decide who becomes d national secretary INEC however,has no right to decide who becomes PDP's national secretary

Mynd44:
The Akwa Ibom State governor is right. If the PDP Isn't careful, they might not be able to field candidates as if the wrong National Secretary signs your forms, you are as well as gone even if you have the highest votes. That is the risk he spoke about.

This matter needs to be solved and solved fast else even Governor Adeleke will have no choice but to either decamp to another party play a very dangerous gamble.

That Akwa Ibom stage Governor is a top party stalwart who should be at the forefront of resolving the PDP crisis not running away to APC.
The weak man should it he is part of the people that have failed the party and stop ing the buck.
As a Governor of Akwa Ibom he has sufficient weight to influence certain critical decisions of resolutions but he is there in Uyo silently "eating" oyel money.

Eno was around when someone like Wike threatened, dared and lambasted all PDP Governors but he didn't utter a word..

What has been his stance on party issues, nothing.

The man should just it he wants to run and Akpabio in APC to have a smooth sail in his Governorship and stop giving excuses of being a weakling.

I said it yesterday that the NEC meeting was just a village meeting and the decision to determine the secretary on June 30 has been thrown out of the window. Go back to Anyanwu and sit down with him for an authentic meeting.

Wike has got the entire Nigeria in his palms. He controls the powers that be. He cannot be stopped. Cannot be questioned.

What a powerful man. What a nation.

This case of Anyawu should be handled with caution...

Why can't they wait for few months ...the tenure ends in November na

The mosquito that perches on PDP blokkos.

Deal with it carefully.

This PDP aren't serious at all. They should be very careful because they may even loose more governors the way things stand. Wike know something that we all don't know and that's the reason they are all Afraid of him.

Akwa Ibom State governor statements is beginning to get more meaning by the day if these issues of National Secretary is not settled on time many election might be cancelled and give to an opposition parties come 2026 and 2027
Wike is bigger than PDP presently
But I'll advice him to tread softly ground dey slippy
Power is transient

Mynd44:
The Akwa Ibom State governor is right. If the PDP Isn't careful, they might not be able to field candidates as if the wrong National Secretary signs your forms, you are as well as gone even if you have the highest votes. That is the risk he spoke about.

This matter needs to be solved and solved fast else even Governor Adeleke will have no choice but to either decamp to another party play a very dangerous gamble.

Greed is what destroyed PDP if not Wike and Atiku should have been expelled from the party a long time ago...

Mynd44:
The Akwa Ibom State governor is right. If the PDP Isn't careful, they might not be able to field candidates as if the wrong National Secretary signs your forms, you are as well as gone even if you have the highest votes. That is the risk he spoke about.

This matter needs to be solved and solved fast else even Governor Adeleke will have no choice but to either decamp to another party play a very dangerous gamble.

On a side note, In the meeting, Atiku was absent, Wike was absent, Gov Eno was absent, Tambuwal was absent.
On a serious note, if PDP do not come down from its high horse, they might not have any candidates in the next election. Imagine Sule Lamido saying he won't attend PDP meeting any longer unless Wike and Samuel Anyanwu are suspended.


-Kiss the truth!

It is safe to say, No Wike no PDP

He will be removed in the. ext convention coming later this year so that’s not a big issue

While I will Tinubu re-election it is crystal clear that all the crisis bilwildering and bedridden PDP is orchestrated by Wike and his cohorts. Wike is the enemy within that the opposition spare headed by the president to kill and decapitated PDP as the only strong opposition. Yes! You don't need a prophet or soothsayer to tell you this. It is imperative that PDP will be helpless and hopeless now until the get away with this mole and snitch which might be so difficult for them because of the central power.

Wike didn't understand Pdp very well, wike and co can be destroyed by Pdp boys. Stop playing. Pdp strong apc

The greedy betrayer is hunger to betray someone else. Tinubu should be careful..

The Truth
Wike is just in pdp to ruin the party for his slave master. The ONLY reason wike will his party PDP is when he is the presidential candidate.

But Tinubu gave him a very good post FCT minister (which billionaire doesn't have a house/business in Abuja?)

Mynd44:
The Akwa Ibom State governor is right. If the PDP Isn't careful, they might not be able to field candidates as if the wrong National Secretary signs your forms, you are as well as gone even if you have the highest votes. That is the risk he spoke about.

This matter needs to be solved and solved fast else even Governor Adeleke will have no choice but to either decamp to another party play a very dangerous gamble.

2yrs is enough to settle party dispute, he Eno knows his main reasons not This thing he's using as excuse

Wike ,Seyi makinde ,Atiku and even el Rufai are all working for Tinubu .
Seyi and Wike are working hand in hand to create confusion in PDP ,this is so so obvious . They won't leave the party but try will make sure the party doesn't have peace .
El Rufai and Atiku on the other hand with others are working ton destabilise any opposition forces or group outside PDP that might want to challenge Tinubu by saying they are doing a coalition. By the time they gather Peter Obi and the rest ,all caged in one eye coalition,that is it ..
Tinubu is really a master at this. If anyone still have doubt about Atiku ,Wike and Seyi working for Tinubu then that person is a learner

Wike no small na.

Mynd44:
The Akwa Ibom State governor is right. If the PDP Isn't careful, they might not be able to field candidates as if the wrong National Secretary signs your forms, you are as well as gone even if you have the highest votes. That is the risk he spoke about.

This matter needs to be solved and solved fast else even Governor Adeleke will have no choice but to either decamp to another party play a very dangerous gamble.

We all know who's clandestinely backing Wike to destroy the PDP. We all know who's tacitly killing opposition in Nigeria's democracy by using state resources to destroy virtually all opposition parties all borne out of fear of rejection at the polls. In two electoral cycles in Rivers state, APC didn't field a candidate in the gubernatorial elections. We know who connived with Magnus Abe and Wike to make that happen just to deny Amaechi a base. They then turn around to accuse Amaechi of betraying them. The same strategy is being applied to PDP at the national level. The PDP as a party is dead and its strategic politicians have moved on.

How could a so-called Democrat be scared of a fair democratic process? Because they have no credentials to run upon.

Mynd44:
The Akwa Ibom State governor is right. If the PDP Isn't careful, they might not be able to field candidates as if the wrong National Secretary signs your forms, you are as well as gone even if you have the highest votes. That is the risk he spoke about.

This matter needs to be solved and solved fast else even Governor Adeleke will have no choice but to either decamp to another party play a very dangerous gamble.

You think Adeleke doesn't know ? All those governors in PDP ,senators ,and reps need an excuse to decamp to APC and to Tinubu for reelection . Wike,Seyi ,Atiku and PDP have the mandate to provide that excuse for anybody member to decamp . It is all a game . They will going to court till election ,I have said it that making PDP unattractive to any serious politician who wants to win is the main objective of all the wahala Wike ,and maklnde are doing