The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has reaffirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as its substantive National Secretary, thereby ending weeks of internal wrangling and speculation over the position.
The decision was reached during the party’s 100th National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja yesterday.
Briefing journalists after the session, PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, said the meeting had a single agenda: to review the outcome of the party’s recent engagement with Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on the matter.
“As you can see, we just rose from our 100th NEC meeting. This meeting was a one-agenda meeting, which is to discuss the outcome of our interaction with INEC as regards the National Secretary,” Damagum said.
He confirmed that NEC unanimously resolved that Senator Anyanwu should continue in his role as National Secretary.
He also announced that the party’s much-anticipated national convention had been deferred to the next NEC meeting, now scheduled for July 23, 2025.
Damagum assured members that the rescheduled convention will strictly adhere to INEC regulations, with official notices to be jointly signed by him and Senator Anyanwu.
“We all combined in one effort. We were all together, and we all agreed that Senator Anyanwu will continue to act as national secretary,” he stated.
Addressing concerns that the meeting might mark a new low for the party, Damagum dismissed such speculation as baseless, pointing to the full attendance of PDP governors and key stakeholders as a clear indication of unity and institutional strength.
He said: “To our detractors who thought this meeting would be incongruous and mark the end of the party, the beauty of the PDP is that we know how to solve our problems. We are free and united.”
The Acting National Chairman also signaled an end to the recent wave of public dissent and contradictory press releases within the party, saying NEC’s decision marks a new chapter of cohesion and forward planning.
Also speaking at the meeting, the chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, declared that the party is united, dismissing any notion of factions, coalitions or internal divisions within the party.
Mohammed reaffirmed the PDP’s resolve to remain a formidable force in Nigeria’s political landscape, stating that the party was focused on delivering good governance and restoring public confidence.
“This is a miracle of the PDP, the party that has history, pedigree, and the human capital to deliver Nigeria. We have been engrossed in controversies and challenges, not created by us, but created for us. Yet, we have been navigating them successfully, unlike other parties,” Mohammed said.
He praised the National Working Committee, NWC, for its efforts in resolving internal disagreements and strengthening party unity, noting that visible signs of discord had been addressed in recent weeks.
“The NWC has collapsed all differences and wranglings. They met before this meeting. What you’ve been seeing in terms of press releases and counter-statements has stopped, and you will not see them again,” he said.
Mohammed also acknowledged the role of the Board of Trustees (BoT), National Assembly caucuses, and state chapters in keeping the party united and effective, particularly at the grassroots level.
“There is no element of wrangling in the state chapters. And that is where our strengths lie. We thank you, our state chairmen, for keeping the party alive, often with limited resources, and ensuring that PDP remains intact and functional,” he noted.
Dismissing recent media reports of defections and internal rifts, Mohammed described such narratives as ‘cosmetic’ and designed to weaken the PDP’s image.
However, he insisted that the party has remained resilient and cohesive.
“The news of people leaving the party is all cosmetic. They were created to diminish us, but they have failed,” he said.
He further reiterated that there is no need for any parallel stakeholders’ meetings or unofficial coalitions, asserting that the entire party leadership was now aligned with the NWC.
“We are all on the same page. No excuse for coalition, no excuse to form any stakeholders’ meeting other than that of the NWC. We are solidly behind the NWC and the governors and will continue to work as the conscience of the party,” Governor Mohammed said.
He assured Nigerians and PDP supporters that the party will remain focused on delivering results and rebuilding trust.
“Please be assured that we will not disappoint Nigerians and our teeming supporters. We are committed to our role as the conscience of the party and will continue working together to ensure the PDP succeeds,” he added.
Present at the meeting were Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde; Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed; Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal; Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang; Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri; and Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri.
Also in attendance were Senator Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa West; Senator Abba Moro of Benue South; former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; and Professor Jerry Gana, a senior party figure and former minister.
Also present were PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; Sunday Ude-Okoye, a notable PDP national officer; and Eddy Olafeso, former PDP Vice Chairman (South West).
Chief Ali Odefa, PDP National Vice Chairman for the South East, was also at the meeting, alongside Senator Ben Ndi Obi, a former presidential adviser; Adolphus Wabara, former Senate President; and Chief Bode George, a former PDP Deputy National Chairman were also present at the meeting.
Equally present were former minister, Josephine Anenih; Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda; former lawmaker, Jones Onyereri from Imo State; Senator Austin Akobundu of Abia Central; and former Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel.