JUST IN: “NEC Meeting Not Cancelled, Anyanwu Not Reinstated” — PDP NWC Dares Damagum, Wike Amid Power Struggle

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has firmly rejected claims by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum that the party’s scheduled National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting has been cancelled and Senator Samuel Anyanwu reinstated as National Secretary. In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, the NWC declared, “NEC meeting not cancelled, Anyanwu not reinstated,” daring Damagum and his reported ally, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, over what it described as unconstitutional actions.

Damagum had earlier addressed a press briefing at the PDP’s Wadata Plaza headquarters in Abuja, claiming that the NEC meeting scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025, had been suspended. He also stated that Anyanwu had been directed to resume as National Secretary—a position currently contested between Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye.

The NWC, in response, stated that no organ or individual, including the Acting National Chairman, has the authority to override decisions of the NEC, which is the party’s highest decision-making body after the National Convention. The committee maintained that the NEC had already resolved during its 99th meeting to hold the 100th session on June 30, and that resolution remains binding.

The statement, signed by key NWC members including Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, Acting National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, and National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, emphasized that the matter of the National Secretary was deferred to the 100th NEC meeting for final resolution. Any attempt to pre-empt that decision, the NWC said, was misleading and without legal basis.

This latest confrontation points to deepening divisions within the party, particularly between factions aligned with Wike and those resisting his influence. Wike is widely believed to back Damagum and Anyanwu in the ongoing leadership struggle, raising concerns over growing instability in the party ahead of major elections.